Wynnum’s Ty Clint Harris, 40, assured jail likely should he breach court order again

A Brisbane blogger with thousands of followers world-wide earned a ferocious response from an appalled magistrate for his “hostile” reaction to an 18-month probation order, which may land him in jail.

A social media star has received a blistering denouncement by a magistrate for his “hostile, resistant and undermining” behaviour during a probation order.

Appearing at Wynnum Magistrates Court today with his new partner in support, Wynnum man Ty Clint Harris, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of breaching a probation order.

A well known figure in the Wynnum-Manly region, Harris has a social media following of more than 36,000 for his personal blog, The Bay Today.

Convicted and sentenced to 18 months’ probation for previous offending in October, Harris was rejected by a community probation order program for his dismal behaviour.

According to a probation officer, Harris was afforded numerous opportunities to engage with his order but continued to show a “hostile, aggressive” attitude, refused to do homework and showed little benefit from the program.

The court heard the defendant went as far as stating his “intention to undermine the integrity” of other probation members’ paths to rehabilitation, should he be made to engage in group sessions.

Ty Clint Harris, 40, leaves Wynnum Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to breaching an 18-month probation order.

It was recommended by probation that the man’s order be revoked and that he be re-sentenced.

Magistrate Zachary Sarra made plain to Harris his stark choices: continue with a probation order or have it revoked and be re-sentenced.

Harris would likely face a suspended jail sentence or up three to six months of actual jail should the latter occur.

A lawyer for the defence assured their client had been made aware just how dire his situation was, had baulked at group therapy but ultimately wanted to continue with the order.

Harris, the defence said, knew he “was the engineer of his own fate”.

In an extraordinary exchange, Magistrate Sarra encouraged the man to reject his probation order should he not be interested in it.

“You strike me as a bloke who is afraid to go through that door (to prison),” Magistrate Sarra said

“Have some courage. Take your medicine.”

Harris was fined $1,500 with a conviction recorded.

Should he come before the court again for a breach of probation order, Harris was all but assured of a prison sentence.