Interesting story in the Herald Sun on the weekend about former Getaway Plan Tour Manager John "Zimmo" Zimmerman. It appears Zimmo is in fear of his life as it turns out he raped the daughter of a bikie.

Sex predator John Zimmerman needs cash to appeal sentence

ONE of Australia's worst online sex predators wants legal aid to pay for an appeal against the severity of his 12-year sentence.

John Zimmerman was jailed for raping, stalking and abusing under-age teenage girls.

His lawyers sought the 12-year minimum.

Zimmerman is believed to be in fear of his life, despite being jailed in a protection unit.

There are concerns a contract has been taken out on Zimmerman, who attacked the daughter of an outlaw motorcycle gang member.

Zimmerman, who was tour manager of the disbanded/ now re-united teen band The Getaway Plan, used MySpace, Facebook and MSN to lure girls, heaping compliments on fans of the band after raiding their websites.

He would then persuade girls to pose for him on webcam.

He would use images of the girls to threaten them.

He was convicted of 87 charges, including three of rape and 23 of sexual penetration of a child under 16.

His lawyer asked a County Court judge not to impose a "crushing" sentence on him, suggesting 12 years was in the appropriate range.

Two police operations uncovered the extent of Zimmerman's offences, committed from 2006 to 2010.

Police believe Zimmerman had other victims who were reluctant to come forward.