Bradley John Chapman sentenced for stalking, assault, choking partner

A Mackay dad once sentenced for armed robbery again became violent after he claimed he was shown d*** pics on his partner’s phone.

A Mackay father of three with a history of armed robbery 10 year clean streak came to a sudden end after he claims he was shown d*** pics on his partner’s phone. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A Mackay father of three and former robber attacked his partner and threatened her in a nightmarish meltdown after he said he saw d*** pics on her phone.

Bradley John Chapman, 42, said his nine-year-old son showed him pictures of penises on his partner’s phone.

The court heard Chapman, on April 29, 2023, sat on the verandah of the house he and his partner were staying at and began sending messages accusing her of cheating, as well as threatening her, including a threat to bite her nose off.

When the victim approached Chapman, he slapped her, calling her derogatory names and choked her.

The court heard Chapman previously worked as a ranger in far north Queensland. Photo: Fergus Gregg

She managed to push him away at which point he threatened to burn the house down, before she escaped back inside and he resumed his barrage of messages.

Over the 15-and-a-half-hour period the offending took place he sent 244 messages to the victim and called her 570 times.

Police arrived and Chapman told them he gave “my missus a slap” and he was arrested, spending two days on remand from April 30 to May 2, 2023.

Chapman pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault and one count each of choking and unlawful stalking with violence.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said Chapman had a prejudicial upbringing but was able to complete schooling and acquired a degree in journalism.

Mr McLennan said his client was working for Centrelink years ago when he himself was attacked, which led to him to suffer serious injuries and eventually become homeless.

Chapman previously spent 13 months on remand for armed robbery after he was sentenced in the Cairns District Court in 2010. Photo: Fergus Gregg

On July 22, 2010 Chapman appeared in the Cairns District Court and pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery with personal violence and armed robbery with actual violence and was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment.

Following this offending Mr McLennan said he “turned his life around”, found a job and began his relationship with the victim.

“There’s no domestic violence alleged during that relationship… in my submission this is a loss of control,” Mr McLennan said.

District Judge John Coker said he accepted Chapman saw something on his ex’s phone, but said “it (in) no way justifies what it gave rise to”.

He did not accept there was infidelity on the victim’s part.

Mr McLennan said Chapman had undertaken counselling in relation to anger management, domestic violence and addressing his underlying trauma.

District Judge John Coker said Chapman was not beyond redemption and he was previously able to turn his life around.

Judge Coker said Chapman’s reaction was disproportionate and said there was no excuse for his behaviour.

“You have found yourself offending and behaving in a way that is clearly not what you would normally do,” Mr Coker said.

“You have been able for many years therefore to remain a contributing and beneficial member of the community.”

The victim said in a statement read to the court she feels “trapped and isolated” following the offending.

“I was a happy outgoing person before all this,” she said.

“I’ve had to reduce my circle and stick to myself… I feel like this conflict will never end.”

Judge Coker said despite the extremely serious nature of the offending Chapman was “not beyond redemption”.

The court heard Chapman was training as a baggage handler at Qantas and financially supported his children.

Chapman was sentenced to three years jail with a parole release date set for September 16, 2025.

Two days of pre-sentence custody between April 30 and May 2, 2023 were declared and convictions were recorded.