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John William Tapp, 76, from Berrinba in Beenleigh Court over child exploitation material possession

An elderly man who worked as a handyman at a school south of Brisbane has faced court a second time for possession of child exploitation material.

John William Tap, 76, leaving Beenleigh District Court.
John William Tap, 76, leaving Beenleigh District Court.

An elderly man who worked as a handyman at a school south of Brisbane has faced court a second time for possession of child exploitation material.

John William Tapp, 76, faced Beenleigh District Court on May 24 for breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence.

The court heard that on March 8, 2021 the former Runcorn State High School handyman was sentenced to two years’ prison for possession of child exploitation material.

He pleaded guilty on March 8, 2021 in Beenleigh District Court to one count of possessing child exploitation material.

Tapp was not made to serve any actual time behind bars but instead had the two-year sentence wholly suspended.

The court heard on May 24, Berinba man Tapp had not complied with the strict conditions of his community order.

He had not disclosed contact he had with his grand children and failed to report his use of social media.

Defence barrister Kate Fuller said Tapp had a limited criminal history and serious medical concerns.

“It would be unjust for him to serve actual time in custody and he has many health issues,” she said.

“There is a report from his cardiologist and he requires surgery in the near future.”

Judge Rowan Jackson said Tapp needed to take his reporting conditions seriously or he would be forced to spend an actual jail time.

“You narrowly escaped going into actual custody on the last occasion,” he said.

“It was clear in relation to those failures to report, you weren’t sure what your obligations were.

“You risk having the sentence invoked and spending time in custody, you won’t get this opportunity next time, this is your last chance.”

Judge Jackson increased the length of the suspended sentence length by one year.

Tapp must not commit another offence punishable by imprisonment within that time period.

Originally published as John William Tapp, 76, from Berrinba in Beenleigh Court over child exploitation material possession

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/logan/john-william-tapp-76-from-berrinba-in-beenleigh-court-over-child-exploitation-material-possession/news-story/723edbd4d51732295a0d1a55c2f22af0