Repeat sex offender Gary John Tipping back behind bars as authorities try for third time to keep him detained

A repeat sex offender is back behind bars as the Attorney-General’s Department mounts a third attempt to keep him detained.

Gary John Tipping in court in early 2020. Picture: Timothy Ide

A repeat sex offender is back behind bars as the Attorney-General applies again to keep him detained.

Gary John Tipping, 35, appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday via video link from Yatala Labour Prison.

Justice Sophie David ordered Tipping be held in custody as another application is made to keep him detained.

“By consent I make the following orders, first that the respondent be detained in a correctional services institution pending the determination of proceedings,” she said.

It is not clear why Tipping is back in custody after being released into the community in May 2020.

The latest application is being made by the Attorney-General’s Department following a referral from the Parole Board.

In 2006, Tipping received a suspended sentence for sexually abusing two young boys, aged 12 and eight. He then breached that by abusing a 13-year-old boy three months after being sentenced, and was jailed for six years.

In 2010 he was released on parole and within two months of being released abused a 15-year-old boy.

Gary Tipping pictured outside the District Court when he was facing charges of abusing an eight-year-old boy.

His parole was revoked and in 2015 Tipping was sentenced to six years and four months in prison with the sentence backdated to 2012 when his previous parole had expired.

In 2019 Tipping was released into the community following the first unsuccessful application to extend his period in custody.

Within five weeks of being released he breached his strict supervision conditions by downloading social media and dating apps and was returned to prison.

He quickly begun “sexualised” communications with a 15-year-old boy.

Tipping said when he realised the boy’s true age he cut off communications, however prosecutors argued the interactions showed Tipping was unable to control his sexual impulses.

The Attorney-General’s Department then in 2020 applied for the second time to keep Tipping permanently detained.

The case came before Supreme Court Justice Kevin Nicholson who concluded Tipping should be given another chance to live in the community, but under strict conditions.

“The respondent’s conduct between 8 and 15 October 2019 is not the manifestation of a new or increased risk but of the risk always present and recognised by the forensic psychiatrists and the earlier judge,” Justice Nicholson said.

“In fact, (Tipping) has now spent more than 12 months in custody not having committed any offence and not subject to any outstanding charges, and only five weeks or so in the community.

“I take the view that the respondent ought to be given another opportunity to comply with the extended supervision order and to remain out of custody.”

Gary Tipping pictured outside the District Court when he was facing charges of abusing an eight-year-old boy.

Tipping was placed on home detention where his movements were constantly monitored

His internet use was limited and police and Corrections officers had the power to search his house and electronic devices at any time of the day and night.

The third application for continuing detention will be heard again in March.