Patrick John Graham sentenced in Roma Magistrates Court after breaking into ex-girlfriend’s house and threatening to kill her

Just hours after their relationship ended, a Roma man broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house only to find her in bed with another man.

Patrick John Graham outside the Roma Magistrates Court.

Just hours after his relationship ended, a drunk and angry young man broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house, only to find her in bed with another man.

Patrick John Graham appeared in Roma Magistrates Court on October 29, pleading guilty to entering a premises and threatening violence, after the incident and his ensuing outburst.

Police prosecutor Ellysha Geddes told the court Graham and his partner had been at the Commonwealth Hotel on September 27, 2024, during which time the pair broke up.

Sergeant Geddes said a few hours later, in the early hours of September 28, Graham attended his now former girlfriend’s house and kicked in the front door.

The court was told Graham then tried to kick in the bedroom door, but it was locked, so he took a butter knife from the kitchen and used it to attempt to pry open the locked door.

There was significant damage to the door frame as a result, Sergeant Geddes said.

Inside the bedroom, Graham found his ex-girlfriend in bed with another man.

“The defendant’s then yelled to both victims: ‘I’m going to kill you both’,” Sergeant Geddes said.

She said when Graham heard one of the victims call police, he left the house, but waited outside for police to arrive.

He later said he did not intend to harm the pair, and was only using the knife to gain access to the bedroom.

Sergeant Geddes said Graham was co-operative, remorseful and made full admissions.

Graham’s solicitor, Trevor May, told the court his client was a relatively young man and that he had contacted the homeowner to offer to pay for repairs.

“He didn’t take the break up well,” Mr May said.

Magistrate Aaron Simpson said while it was natural to find a break up difficult, Graham’s offending was quite frightening.

“Breaking up at any age, whether you’re young or old, can be very difficult, and lead to all manner of emotions, and that’s natural,” Mr Simpson said.

“And being angry about the break up, or being concerned that your former partner has taken up with some other fella is also part of the human experience and might lead you to feeling upset.

“You’ve combined that with alcohol and behaved in a way which I think most people in the community would see as frightening or concerning.”

Graham has no previous criminal history, and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Mr Simpson imposed a 12-month probation order upon Graham, in which time he would be required to complete domestic violence offender courses.

No conviction was recorded.