Homeless tradie Brad Stapleton reveals tragedy, sparks community support

Egged, broken, slashed: A tradie facing his lowest moment while living out of a tent has revealed the horrid vandalism inflicted on his makeshift home, as a charity worker reveals the climbing number of tents appearing each week.

A homeless tradie on Brisbane’s northside revealed details of the vicious attack inflicted on him during his lowest moment.

A gratuitous act on a homeless man’s tent and belongings has highlighted risks faced by those living rough through the state’s housing crisis, while a local charity provider says he’s watching more and more tents pop up across his part of Moreton Bay.

Brian Stapleton, a forklift driver for more than 20 years, has revealed the disgusting treatment he received from unknown youths, after he was left with no choice but to reside in a tent at Leis Park by the river at Kallangur.

The 59-year-old said he had been living at the park since October 2023 after he was unable to find accommodation.

“I left the tent for a few hours and when I returned all of my possessions had been thrown out, covered in dirt and damaged,” Mr Stapleton said.

“My T-shirts had been smashed with eggs, my BBQ had been broken and the string of my special guitar had been snapped and a knife was hanging out of it,” he said.

Mr Stapleton's tent and personal belongings were completely destroyed.

Mr Stapleton’s tent had been slashed throughout, leaving him unable to use it.

“This is the second time this has happened to me, the last time everything was destroyed too,” Mr Stapleton said.

“Youths hang out in the park making ramps to jump from, nothing was stolen as nothing would have been of value to them.

Mr Stapleton said he had lived in a share house prior to being homeless and lost his job last week due to the company downsizing.

“I was in a share house for four months but one of the tenants was violent and when I was looking for other places there was nowhere for me to live,” Mr Stapleton said.

“People with jobs and families are becoming homeless, there are children across the river from me that I’ve seen in tents,” he said.

Mr Stapleton expressed his frustration with his belongings being destroyed to a local Facebook group.

“The support I received from the community really made me tear up, so many people wanted to help me replace what was taken from me,” Mr Stapleton said.

A retired couple at Lawnton generously offered Mr Stapleton a room free of rent.

“I took a few days to cool down and think about my options and I decided to take up their very kind offer, so as a result of this tragedy and my venting online I now have a roof over my head,” he said.

Mr Stapleton said he owed so much to Beau Haywood, a “one man charity” who helps to feed more than 100 homeless people in the Moreton Bay region every day.

Mr Haywood said two years ago he would assist no more than 15 people in need, those numbers have now risen to 100.

“Every week I notice four or five more tents set up, it is alarming,” Mr Haywood said.

Mr Haywood is the founder of ‘Nourish Street’, in a sole mission he travels all over the region to feed and establish as many homeless residents as he can.

“I do this seven days per week by loading up my trailer with non perishable items, fruit, veggies and whatever else I can afford or have donated to me,” Mr Haywood said.

Mr Haywood said he is desperate for community support.

“I have fallen on hard times myself in my past and became homeless, so I do as much as I can to provide mattresses, food, cooking equipment and any other essentials.

“Many people I talk to are normal folk who had jobs and homes but with the rental crisis have suffered drastically,” he said.

Mr Haywood said he was in dire need of support from businesses and members of the community to help nourish his supply of essentials for the homeless.

“I do this all from my own pocket and donations, as the demand grows I am in desperate need of support from others,” Mr Haywood said.

“At the end of the week my partner and I make 60-80 hot meals to give out.

“Awareness needs to be spread as many people don’t know what is going on metres from their homes.

“People are living behind local swimming pools, at bus stops, police stations and car parks all over the Moreton Bay, they need your help,” he said.

If you can donate to Nourish Street, click here.