Bradley Grayson pleads guilty to stalking, burglary of ex-girlfriend’s home

A former watch-house officer spent months behind bars on remand after invading his ex-girlfriend’s home and trashing it before stalking her.

Bradley Robert Grayson faced Maroochydore District Court on April 17 this year. Picture: Patrick Woods

A former correctional officer has admitted to stalking an ex-girlfriend and trashing her home, resulting in him spending months in jail on remand.

Bradley Raymond Grayson stalked his former partner twice over a period of weeks, with the court hearing his conduct was “extensive and concerning”.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark told the court this month how the woman ended the relationship on March 1, 2024 due to the Browns Plains man becoming “possessive and controlling”.

The court heard the 61-year-old went to get his property from her unit between March 1 to 11, 2024, and accessed the unit while no one was home by using a spare key.

While inside, Grayson damaged clothing with bleach and stole property he either gave to the victim or they bought together, which included jewellery and a gift card.

Mr Stark said the Browns Plains man also damaged a laptop and cut two shoes with a sharp object.

Despite the break up, Grayson stalked the woman from March 20 to April 8, 2024 where he went to locations near her home and workplace around the time she was going to start and finish work.

The court heard the victim felt “unnerved, scared and intimidated”.

Bradley Raymond Grayson (left) leaving with his barrister Lily Brisick (right) after his sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

Grayson was arrested and released on bail, however he continued his harassment from April 29 to May 13, 2024 where he tampered with the victim’s mailbox, took her mail and removed padlocks from her mailbox.

He was arrested again and remanded in custody on June 15, 2024, until he was granted Supreme Court bail on December 11, 2024.

The Browns Plains man pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking and one of burglary and stealing and wilful damage.

Defence barrister Lily Brisick said Grayson, who had a long-standing career as a public servant as a watch-house officer, planned to resign after he was suspended due to his charges.

Ms Brisick said the 61-year-old’s time in custody was challenging due to other inmates becoming aware of his past occupation.

He pleaded guilty. Picture: Sam Turner

She said since being released the Browns Plains man had completed counselling, was treated by a psychologist and abided by strict bail conditions which involved being banned from going north of Caboolture.

The barrister claimed Grayson had lived an “exemplary” life without any criminal history until his stalking offences, and submitted it was out of character.

Judge Gary Long said the stalking came in the context of the 61-year-old ex-correctional officer losing his wife after a long marriage prior to him starting his relationship to the victim.

The District Court Judge however said Grayson’s troubling behaviour came from his inability to accept her decision to end the relationship, which stood in contrast with how he lived his life up until the age of 60.

Grayson was jailed for two years but was released on parole immediately due to the 190 days already served in jail.