Sex offender blames brain injury

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A 42-year-old registered sex offender has blamed an acquired brain injury for failing to report multiple email, social media and dating site accounts to police.
Stuart Tizard, of Noble Park, pleaded guilty at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 20 November to 15 charges of failing to comply with his reporting obligations.
This year, police discovered Tizard’s two unreported email addresses, as well as his ‘peter12346’ user-name account on dating site ‘Choice of Love’ and ‘11 secret’ account on the Zoosk dating site.
He also set up five unreported Twitter accounts and three unreported Instagram accounts.
Tizard told police he had suffered a brain injury and couldn’t remember anything before September 2016, prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Tim Barlow told the court.
He had no comment to the allegations, stating he couldn’t remember.
“I’ve been bashed in the head with an iron bar, and everything since then is wiped out.”
Tizard had been placed on the state’s Sex Offender Registry since 2005. He was also explained about upcoming changes to his reporting obligations in May 2015, Lead Sen Const Barlow said.
Tizard had previously reported changed email addresses, mobile numbers and internet service providers to police.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted the disability pensioner had a “complex background”, including an undiagnosed intellectual disability.
“His intellectual functioning is very relevant in terms of complying with this register.”
Ms O’Donnell requested a fresh psychological assessment to “work out what’s going on with him”.
Tizard was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on 12 February.