Bailey Clifford to plead not guilty to murdering Paul Grapsas

A teen accused of killing a Geelong father who had gone out to walk his dog has faced court.

Paul Grapsas and his wife, Jessica.

A teenager accused of murdering a Geelong father, whose body was found on the street just metres from his bayside home, has faced a packed courtroom, saying he will fight the charge.

Forty-year-old father of three Paul Grapsas left his house on Western Beach Rd to walk the dog late on September 14 last year.

He was found on nearby Mercer St by his pregnant wife Jessica at 4am the next day after the dog returned without him.

Police will allege Bailey Clifford, 19, killed Mr Grapsas.

Police prosecutor Jack Kelly told the court the matter would be fast tracked to the Supreme Court.

Police investigating the alleged murder of Paul Grapsas. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Clifford appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link.

He had a crew-cut and was wearing a green long-sleeved jumper.

Mr Clifford had his arms crossed for the majority of his court appearance and when he was asked by Magistrate Bernard Fitzgerald how he intended to plead to the single count of murder, he replied “not guilty”.

Family and friends of Mr Grapsas, including his wife, were in the courtroom.

Mr Clifford was remanded to appear in the Supreme Court on February 14.

Mr Grapsas, who worked as a business analyst at the TAC, was farewelled by 800 people at a funeral in early October last year.

Bailey Clifford

Mrs Grapsas described him as “the sweetness in our lives and for the children”, and paid tribute to a proud and playful father “who always chose us first over his own interests or friends”.

Mrs Grapsas said her children Matilda, 4, and Abigail, 2, had found comfort knowing their dad “was now in heaven.”

“The morning I had to tell my babies that Daddy wasn’t coming home and that he had died was heartbreaking,” she said.

Mrs Grapsas, who was pregnant at the time of her husband’s death, gave birth to Alexander Paul Grapsas on December 18.

She said the meaning of her newborn son’s name was “defender of men” and “humble”.“He will be this for our family; our little man of the house, standing for his proud daddy in humility and strength just like Paul Grapsas did,” she said.

Originally published as Bailey Clifford to plead not guilty to murdering Paul Grapsas