Bradley Amadeus Bessant-Probert in court for stalking, abuse

A spray painter and serial abuser who struck again less than a month after getting out of jail sent his victim multiple threatening and harassing messages, including photos of his penis and threats to publish nude photos of her if she did not reciprocate.

Bradley Amadeus Bessant-Probert pleaded guilty before Bundaberg Magistrates Court to three charges of contravening a domestic violence order and one charge of unlawful stalking.

Father of two and serial domestic violence offender Bradley Amadeus Bessant-Probert was back in court this week on fresh charges relating to offences allegedly committed after he was released on parole for similar crimes.

Probert, 29, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg District Court on Thursday to unlawfully stalking and intimidating, harassing, or abusing a person with violence.

Counsel for the complainant Kate Thamm submitted Probert’s seven-page Queensland criminal history and a nine-page domestic violence history to the court.

The court heard his first complaints with this complainant dated back to 2021.

After multiple incidents, he was placed on 18 months probation.

Barrister Wesley Seewald noted that Probert had served 17 months total in custody.

Mr Seewald said Probert was born in Dubbo, grew up in Darwin and finished school in Year 9.

He worked as a fabricator and spray painter before struggling with homelessness and drug use after moving to Queensland.

Seewald told the court that Probert had a four-year-old daughter and an eight-year-old son, and he hoped to reconnect with them upon release.

Judge John Allen highlighted Probert’s history, beginning in October 2021, of domestic violence offences against the complainant.

On November 23, 2021, he was sentenced to six months in prison with immediate parole for a domestic violence-related common assault.

Bradley Amadeus Bessant-Probert.

On May 9, 2023, he was sentenced to two years jail with parole eligibility on October 3, 2023, for unlawful stalking, domestic violence offences.

The offence being dealt with on Thursday occurred between October 28, 2023 and December 3, 2023.

Judge Allen pointed out the aggravating factor that Probert committed these offences so soon after he was released on parole.

He sent threatening and abusive messages via WhatsApp and texts, the court heard. He also sent a photo of a gun, stating he was serious and would see her soon.

In addition to the threats, Probert sent his victim multiple photos of his penis, demanding that she send him photos in return, threatening to publish nude photos of her if she didn’t comply.

Judge Allen described Probert’s behaviour as “particularly disgraceful,” saying Probert refused to accept the relationship ended in mid-2021 and continued to make his ex-partner’s life “miserable”.

The court also heard Probert was on methamphetamine during the offending.

Judge Allen warned that without addressing his substance abuse issues, Probert would likely spend more time in prison.

He had been in custody for 290 days in total.

A head sentence of two years jail was imposed, cumulative to his current term, and the 290 days were not counted as time served.

He was released on parole immediately.

Originally published as Bradley Amadeus Bessant-Probert in court for stalking, abuse