Convicted child sex abuser Jeffrey Thomas Brant sufferers stroke or brain aneurysm in custody

A medical emergency has kept this sex predator out of court and left his victim waiting, again, for justice – but neither his lawyer nor the judge knows where he is.

Twice-convicted child abuser Jeffrey Thomas Brant. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

A man twice convicted of sexually abusing his stepdaughter has had either a brain aneurysm or stroke in custody, a court has heard – further frustrating her bid for justice and closure.

In the District Court on Thursday, counsel for Jeffrey Thomas Brant said their client had been rushed from prison to hospital late last month, but they did not know his current whereabouts.

Judge Ian Press said his staff had endeavoured to obtain information about Brant’s situation from prison authorities but “the system does not allow us to identify” his location.

As a result, Brant’s sentencing will be delayed – outside court his victim, Kylie Bailey, said the additional delay was exasperating.

“I just want it finished … it’s been 5 ½ years,” Ms Bailey, who has given The Advertiser permission to identify her, said.

“Every time I feel I’m going to get closure, that I’m getting close to the finish line, something else happens.

“Between the legal system and the tactics, it just feels cruel.”

In January, Brant, 68, was found guilty at trial of sexually abusing Ms Bailey between 1981 and 1992.

It was his second conviction for the same offending – in 2022, he was also found guilty and sentenced to more than 13 years’ jail, but won a retrial on appeal.

Ms Bailey, 45, broke her silence after years of manipulation by Brant, who used her fear of hurting her mother as leverage against disclosure.

She has subsequently advocated for the rights of other survivors, including the lack of money afforded for counselling from the swollen $200 million Victims of Crime compensation fund.

Kylie Bailey. Picture: Morgan Sette

On Thursday, David Moen, for Brant, said he had little information about his client’s status, and asked Judge Press to order a report from the Department for Correctional Services.

“We were informed he was taken to hospital on June 24, with a suspected brain aneurysm or stroke that he’s suffered, and that’s the last update I have,” he said.

“I was not able to book an appointment with him (in prison) at all, and no one will advise me at all as to where he is.”

Judge Press agreed to order the report.

“My staff tried to find out, this morning, where Brant is but the system does not allow us to identify whether he’s still in hospital or been transferred back to prison,” he said.

He adjourned the case until next month – outside court, Ms Bailey, who has already given her victim impact statement, said she hoped for a swift resolution.

“This will never truly end for me, but not having to come back to court anymore – not being anxious and stressed – is what I want,” she said.

“I just want to move on with my life and not have this hanging over me.”