Prison escapee sentenced on a string of offences

Brian Illington Trent Tapim was sentenced on a number of charges, including escaping prison

Brian Tapim received a sentence of two and a half years on May 28 after a string of stealing, vehicle and drug charges.

BUCASIA father Brian Illington Trent Tapim has been sentenced on a string of charges relating to his 2018 escape from Capricornia Correctional Centre.

Tapim had been in custody at the Rockhampton correctional centre when, on January 28, 2018, he used a wheelie bin to scale a fence and escape.

At the time, he was serving a sentence of six years and five months for assault.

Tapim was found on a property at Oakenden, near Mackay, the next day and was returned to custody.

Crown prosecutor Alexandra Baker told the court that Tapim was released on parole on July 13, 2017, and was charged with sourcing 1.75g of methylamphetamines, to be sold to others, on September 30, 2017.

On December 3 he stole fuel and was involved in a police chase.

He also stole guns and an iPad, which were never recovered, from a house he was staying.

In January 2018, he broke into a granny flat at Sarina Beach and stole a $2200 motorbike and a number of items. The motorbike was later recovered.

That same night, Tapim stole a car and became involved in a police chase at 6am the next day.

"He drove in a dangerous matter, speeding and swerving, and nearly hit a number of people who were out for their morning walk," Ms Baker said.

"He sped through a stop sign as well. The car was found by police later that morning and he was found in possession of two stolen guns he had received."

Tapim was arrested and taken into custody before his "failed bid for freedom" on January 28, 2018.

"While on the run, he was involved in a further three chases before he was found the following afternoon," Ms Baker said.

"He put other members of the community in direct risk. He's helped himself to the property of others with no regards for their rights.

"The persistent running from police, breaching the traffic laws, reoffending the breach of parole orders, also speak of his disdain for those orders and authority."

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said it was "too soon to write him off", and that he had suffered a difficult upbringing - going through hundreds of foster homes, having an absent father who committed offences with him, and a drug addicted mother.

Mr McLennan said Tapim had also struggled with drug addiction since he was 18.

"(Tapim told me) 'I don't want to be in here for the rest of my life' … 'my kids are starting to forget who I am and it hurts'," he said.

"He wants to turn his life around."

Judge Ian Dearden said as a morning walker himself, he would have found it "unnerving" to see a car driving dangerously towards him.

"If you want to have a relationship with your daughters that doesn't involve them visiting you behind prison bars, then you need to find a way of living a life that is drug-free, crime-free and respectful of others."

Tapim pleaded guilty to stealing, burglary and stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, receiving tainted property and escaping lawful custody.

He was also sentenced for supplying a dangerous drug, the unlawful possession of weapons, driving without a licence, failure to stop a motor vehicle, and the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Tapim received a head sentence of two and a half years, with a parole eligibility date of May 28, 2020.

He received 14 years of a disqualified driver's licence.

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