‘F***ing scum’: Headbutt, death threat in defendant’s violent court rage

An offender who headbutted a Corrective Services officer and threatened to kill a prosecutor in dramatic courtroom scenes has today has apologised for his behaviour.

Judge Brad Farr SC left the room when Braddish started kicking the dock.

An offender who headbutted a Corrective Services officer and threatened to kill a prosecutor has apologised for his “reckless and rude” behaviour in the courtroom.

He had pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert justice between April 8 and 23 this year and was sentenced to two months imprisonment, to be served cumulatively on his current sentence.

Cortney Allen Braddish blamed stress due to a gravely ill father for his violent and vile outburst where he demanded the prosecutor’s name and yelled “you’re dead”.

“Watch what I’m going to do to you f***ing g s**t,” he said on Monday shortly before headbutting a guard who suffered minor injuries.

The prosecutor was left visibly shaken by the vile abuse.

The heavily tattooed Braddish, 36, appeared back before Judge Brad Farr, SC, on Tuesday, this time beamed into Brisbane’s District Court via video link.

“Sorry about my behaviour yesterday your honour I was pretty rude and reckless … sorry prosecutor,” he said.

He then gave a friendly hello to his lawyers who yesterday he also abused.

“F***ing scum! I want my f***ing money back. Consecutive! Consecutive! Is that really fair is it,” he shouted.

Braddish said he hoped Judge Farr would forgive him.

“I’ve ruined my life, you see from the history that in the past it’s pretty bad,” he said.

“But I’m turning over a new path because I’ve got a newborn child and my dad’s dying from Parkinson’s disease and cancer, he hasn’t got very long to live.

“That’s really a main factor and the reason why I was so stressed out yesterday because I didn’t know what was going on.”

Braddish was brought back before the court to reopen his sentence delivered Monday after he pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert justice.

An error had been made in giving him the parole eligibility date of yesterday rather than a parole release date, the court heard.

Judge Farr resentenced him to 12 months’ jail cumulative to any other sentence with 77 days of custody declared as time already served with a parole release date of November 30.

Braddish appeared to expel a deep breath at the new parole release date but otherwise kept his cool.

The drama unfolded in Brisbane’s District Court on Monday.

Queensland Corrective Services yesterday praised the efforts of escort officers in responding to the incident.

“The officer suffered minor injuries and is being supported by management,” a spokesperson said.

“The matter will be referred to the Corrective Services Investigation Unit (CSIU) for investigation and consideration of criminal charges.

“No assault is acceptable and there are tough penalties (a maximum of 14 years) for anyone convicted of seriously assaulting a corrective services officer with aggravating circumstances.”

It’s not the first time 36-year-old Braddish has assaulted a guard.

In a 2020 sentence for assault occasioning bodily harm the court heard Braddish had previously displayed “violence towards prison officers”.

At the time, sentencing Judge David Reid said Braddish had “a quite appalling criminal history in Queensland but also in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia”.

At that stage the then 33-year-old had spent all but about four months of his adult life in jail including significant periods of solitary confinement which impacted his mental health.

“It is said that you have become personally angry, aggressive and threatening, both to others and to yourself,” the since retired Judge Reid said.

The court heard he had a prejudicial upbringing.

Originally published as ‘F***ing scum’: Headbutt, death threat in defendant’s violent court rage