Bradyn Dillon ‘isolated’ and ‘tortured’ by father before death, inquest hears
A coronial inquest will examine how authorities handled the case of Bradyn Dillon, who was “tortured” by his father in the weeks leading up to his murder, an inquest has heard.
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A nine-year-old Canberra boy was “isolated” and “tortured” by his father in the lead up to his murder, an inquest has heard.
Bradyn Dillon was described by teachers as a “courteous and respectful” boy who contributed to a “safe and welcoming” classroom and playground environment.
Rebecca Curran, the counsel assisting the coroner, told the inquest the “irony” for Braydn was the community did not provide him with a safe home environment.
Bradyn’s father Graham Dillon is serving more than 36 years in jail after pleading guilty to his murder.
Ms Curran read parts of the judgment by Justice John Burns who described Dillon’s repeated “brutal and cowardly” assaults on Bradyn as “torture”.
His injuries included multiple bruises, abrasions, scars, fractured teeth and broken bones, the inquest heard.
A particularly vicious attack about eight weeks before his death including blows to the head, which resulted in a subdural haemorrhage.
On the day he died, February 15, 2016, Dillon told his son to bend over a marble coffee table while he beat him with a belt before kicking him in the abdomen.
He then reigned down more blows on his face and head, causing him to lose consciousness.
Hours went by before an ambulance was called and he never woke up.
Ms Curran said the inquest would examine how Bradyn became so “isolated” by his father, who took him out of school four months before the murder.
He told teachers he was enrolling him at a different school but never did.
The inquest would examine the adequacy and management of the response from multiple agencies including Child and Youth Protection Services, the police and ACT Health and what changes had been made to their protocols and training following the death.
It will also examine what they knew or should have known in relation to the risks to Braydn, what they did or should have done in relation to those risks and why agencies’ interactions with him were discontinued.
The inquest heard there were multiple reports since 2014 raising concerns about Bradyn’s welfare from his mother, stepmother and teachers.
These included reports of bruising on his body, his absence from school and concerns about his lunch.
Coroner Margaret Hunter is presiding over the inquest, which will last about two weeks.
The identities of all the witnesses has been suppressed.
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