Gregory Bradley made threats to hang Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his family and called him corrupt

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his family had to be placed under heightened police watch after a ship builder threatened to hang them.

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his family had to be placed under heightened police watch after a ship builder threatened to hang them.

In a poem sent to council last October, Helensvale man Gregory Bradley said Cr Tate was being watched and accused him of being corrupt and a “puppet bitch”.

In a victim impact statement tendered to the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, Cr Tate said the threats made him “look over his shoulder” and “created doubt as to whether it is sensible to be out in public”.

Gregory Bradley, who made threats to hang Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his family leaves Southport Courthouse. Picture: Lea Emery

Bradley pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace and harass. The October 27 poem to a council email address was addressed “Tate is a GCCC Crime boss”.

He walked from court on a good behaviour bond.

In the email, Bradley claimed Cr Tate was complicit in ”crimes against humanity”, corrupt and told him to “come clean and you won’t be suicided”.

The email ended: “You have already blown it. Like the JAB your spruke (sic), come clean and your family won’t be hung with you. C***! Eyes are upon you and your family. Always.”

The council’s security team referred the matter to police who heightened patrols of the Mayor and his residence.

When police searched Bradley’s home he told them he sent the email while intoxicated and

would not find it offensive if someone sent the same email to him.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was placed under heightened police protection after the threat was sent. Picture Glenn Hampson

Magistrate Louisa Pink sentenced the 58-year-old to a $750 good behaviour bond for 18 months. A conviction was recorded.

Magistrate Pink said that while the coronavirus may have prompted the email there was also extensive mention of other issues.

“I am not sure what link there is between the Mayor and Covid restrictions ... they are enforced at a state level,” she said.

“In any case there are many ways in which you can make complaints without using that language or making threats to the mayor and his family.”

Magistrate Pink said although the email was described as a poem she did not see it as such.

In his victim impact statement, Cr Tate said he had always tried to be a mayor of the people. “This means being able to be out and about in the community, to attend events and meet people,” he wrote.

Cr Tate said the threats made him look over his shoulder and impacted on his ability to do his job. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“When a threat is made against you, it does make you look over your shoulder, and creates doubt as to whether it is sensible to be out in public.

“This automatically diminishes your ability to fully undertake your job.”

Cr Tate said he was also concerned for his family who did not “sign on for abuse or threats”.

“They are private citizens and shouldn’t have to be impacted by this sort of behaviour.”

He also expressed concern that threats may deter qualified and good candidates from running for office.

“I am considered to be a different kind of politician who uses plain speak, and is accessible to the people,” he wrote.

“I’d like to think abuse and threats don’t force me to change my ways.”

Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said Bradley worked as a shipwright and builder and also acted as carer for his 81-year-old mother.

Mr Sarabi said Bradley was embarrassed and remorseful for his actions.

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