Giancarlos Brasil Beniamino Taraborrelli sentenced for owning nunchucks, ammunition

A Medal of Valour recipient who risked his life in Afghanistan has faced a Noosa court after police found nunchucks and ammunition in his home. Read what happened to the hero.

A former Australian Defence Force army corporal has pleaded guilty to having nunchucks and ammunition in his Pomona home without proper authority.

Giancarlos Brasil Beniamino Taraborrelli, 42, was charged with possessing a restricted item and possessing explosives without authority after police searched his Pomona home on August 10, 2022.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Stephens said Taraborrelli had told police he had owned the nunchucks, which were found hanging in the front room of his home, since he was a “kid”.

“He said he knew he wasn’t supposed to have them,” Sergeant Stephens said.

“Police also located a large quantity of high calibre ammunition and shotgun cartridges.

“When questioned he said he had a number of mates who had firearms and he declined any further questions.”

Taraborrelli’s solicitor, Steve McCorhon said his client has since realised he should not have kept the nunchucks at his house.

“He has had them for many years and he did actually use them overseas as part of his combat equipment and realises he should have gotten rid of them upon his return to Australia,” Mr McCorhon said.

The court heard Taraborrelli had received a Medal of Valour for his military efforts as a corporal in Afghanistan after he risked his own life to assist a wounded Australian soldier and withdraw his patrol while under fire from enemy forces.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist ordered Taraborrelli to be on good behaviour for 12 months or pay $900.

No conviction was recorded.