Serial predator Gary John Tipping defies parole officer’s orders to stay off the internet, court told
Prosecutors want a serial sex offender’s parole to be cancelled, alleging he immediately disobeyed directions and went online to use the Grindr and AirG chat services.
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Serial predator Gary John Tipping went online as soon as he was paroled – in breach of his release terms – and soon had “sexualised communications” with a 15-year-old, a court has heard.
Prosecutor Ben Garnaut on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to cancel Tipping’s freedom and order he spend the next 4 1/2 years behind bars, given his “inability” to control his actions.
He said Tipping had signed up for, and continued to use, the AirG and Grindr online chat services despite being verbally directed, by his parole officer, to stay off the internet.
“He first went online on September 5, 2019, which was the date of his release from custody, and again on September 26,” Mr Garnaut said.
“Between October 8 and 11 he accessed AirG and Grindr and had sexualised communications with a person who identified themself, after some conversation, as being under 18 and who was in fact 15.
“Tipping says he broke off contact as soon as he found out, but we say that shows he cannot be trusted to obey instructions or manage himself in the community.”
In 2006, Tipping received a suspended sentence for sexually abusing two young boys – he then breached that by abusing a 13-year-old boy, and was jailed.
In 2015, just two months after being paroled, he sexually abused another boy and was jailed for a further six years.
In August, the Supreme Court released him despite a bid to have him indefinitely jailed as an uncontrollable predator and warnings from the Parole Board and two psychiatrists.
Just two months later, The Advertiser revealed Tipping had been arrested again for breaching his release conditions.
As a result, the court in December formally detained Tipping once again – prompting a profanity-laden spiel from him, causing court staff to mute the video link.
On Tuesday, the court heard evidence from Dr Owen Heaney, a psychologist who had treated Tipping.
He said Tipping had insisted he went online because he was lonely – a claim he said was of concern.
“He tried to normalise, to minimise, the breach,” he said.
“He explained it as being lonely and seeking friendship, but the nature of the conversations suggest it was not and was sexually motivated.”
Tipping’s community corrections officer, Lauren Summer, said she had given him written directions about associating with former prison inmates.
She conceded her directions to him about the internet were only given verbally.
“In hindsight, I probably should have (written it down),” she said.
Justice Kevin Nicholson has reserved his decision.
