‘Universally disliked’: Hobart Covid hotel absconder Tim Gunn launches appeal against sentence

“By the time the applicant found himself in quarantine for that time … he was one of the most well-known and universally disliked people in Tasmania.”

“ONE of the most well-known and universally disliked people in Tasmania”, who sparked a three-day lockdown by breaking out of hotel quarantine while infected with Covid, has launched an appeal against his sentence.

Timothy Andrew Gunn, 31, appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania via video link on Wednesday, arguing his jail term of 10 months – with four months suspended – was “manifestly excessive in all of the circumstances”.

Lawyer Pip Monk, acting for Gunn, said he was not only appealing the sentences imposed for his breaches of Covid laws, but also for breaching family violence orders.

Tim Gunn, image taken from his Facebook page.

She said the domestic violence order breaches occurred when Gunn contacted a woman via phone after his escape from the Travelodge medi-hotel in Hobart.

“He really didn’t have anyone in his corner at all, except for the complainant,” Ms Monk said.

“By the time the applicant found himself in quarantine for that time … he was one of the most well-known and universally disliked people in Tasmania as a result of the media attention.

Tim Gunn, image taken from his Facebook page.

“It was in that context that the phone calls occurred, at a time when he was relatively isolated and didn’t have anyone else to contact other than the complainant.”

Ms Monk, who said Gunn was the first person in Tasmania to appeal Covid directions, said his criminal actions and the consequential three-day lockdown in the south of the state should be viewed separately.

She said if he’d entered Tasmania now, or any time from December 15, his entry would have been lawful.

But Emily Bill, acting for the State of Tasmania, said Gunn had demonstrated a “consistent and blatant disregard” for both family violence orders and public health orders.

Tim Gunn, image taken from his Facebook page.

“The breaches were premeditated,” she said.

“It’s my submission these offences have to be considered in the context and at the time they occurred.

“At the time, a case in the community was of extraordinary public concern.

“The nature and behaviour of the breaches show an absolute contempt for public health orders.”

Ms Bill, noting the “community condemnation” of his actions, said the case had been “overwhelming” against Gunn, and his sentence had been appropriate.

Justice Stephen Estcourt reserved his decision until early next week.

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