Thomas Matthew Gray pleads guilty to discharging firearm during violent Port Lincoln home invasion

A former supermarket manager “infatuated” with his victim fired a shot during a terrifying home invasion before viciously bashing him, a court heard.

A former supermarket manager fired a homemade gun during a home invasion before viciously bashing the occupant, a court heard.

Thomas Matthew Gray, 30, will be sentenced later this week after he took matters into his own hands to confront a man over stolen items.

Christopher Edge, for the prosecution, told the District Court Gray became infatuated with the victim, who cut off contact with him after his conduct became overbearing.

Gray then broke into the victim’s Port Lincoln home on October 5, 2021.

“He was clearly in an agitated state and he was carrying the firearm and ammunition when he went there,” Mr Edge said.

The court heard the victim struck Gray in pre-emptive self defence.

“When it got to that point the accused’s response was to load the weapon and fire it indoors in close proximity to frighten the victim,” he said.

Mr Edge said the shooting was followed by a serious assault on the victim that resulted in physical injuries.

Gray, of Port Lincoln, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including criminal trespass, discharging a firearm and assault causing harm.

Stacey Carter, for Gray, told the court her client committed the home invasion as the victim had stolen from him.

“He broke into his house knowing (the victim) would be there and it turned pear-shaped,” she said.

“He went there to frighten him because he had stolen these items and ultimately he accepts that he discharged the homemade firearm to frighten (the victim).”

Ms Carter said Gray had previously lived a productive life but his drug use led him to make poor choices.

“He essentially fell off the bandwagon with methamphetamine use at about 19 and it has escalated,” she said.

The court heard Gray was previously working at a supermarket in a management role and had stopped using drugs but fell back into his “insidious” addiction.

Ms Carter said Gray accepted his behaviour was unacceptable and dangerous and was genuinely remorseful.

“He has got a number of years ahead of him to really make a difference with his life, it’s time to grow up and shape up and he recognises that,” she said.

“Really methamphetamine has ruined his life.”

Ms Carter said Gray had written a letter of apology to the victim and planned to live in the northern suburbs upon his release, so would be far away from him.

Gray will be sentenced later this week.