Randal Bravo: Ipswich man sentenced for burglary, assaults while in custody

A terrified couple had to barricade themselves in their bathroom when an Ipswich dad burst into their home after their front door was bashed in with sledgehammer, a court has heard.

An Ipswich father has faced sentence for breaking into a home to steal from an acquaintance, and assaulting a fellow prisoner while in custody, more than a year and a half after the fact.

Randal Bravo, 28, from Silkstone appeared in Ipswich District Court on Monday February 7, facing five charges including entering a dwelling with intent at night using violence while armed in company, stealing, assault occasioning bodily harm, and supplying dangerous drugs.

He pleaded guilty to all counts.

The court heard the young dad was at Racehorse Hotel at Booval on July 13, 2020 when he saw a man he knew from interactions involving drugs spending a considerable amount of money – about $2000.

The following night, the man from the hotel and the woman he lived with were woken to a knock on their door and Bravo yelling that he wanted to be let inside.

Crown prosecutor Andreas Galloway said the man recognised Bravo’s voice, but refused to open the door.

Shortly thereafter, a sledgehammer was used to break a hole in the door and Bravo managed to open it.

He stepped inside and the home’s two occupants ran to the bathroom and barricaded themselves inside.

The court heard the door was then repeatedly struck and Bravo and his unidentified co-offender entered the bathroom, demanding the man give them his money.

The man said he did not know where the money was and he would give it to them if he did. Bravo then tried to punch him but missed.

Mr Galloway told the court Bravo ransacked the house in search of money but did not locate any, eventually leaving with a handbag containing keys, $100 in cash, and an iPad.

Randal Bravo, 28.

Police later found Bravo at his home, where they uncovered 400g of cannabis, a water pipe, a brass pipe, an electric grinder, and a set of digital scales.

Bravo was arrested and remanded in custody at the Ipswich Watchhouse.

Several days later, on July 18, 2020, a prisoner had returned from consulting with a nurse when he was punched in the face and mouth by Bravo a number of times.

The incident was captured on CCTV.

The court heard Bravo hassled the man throughout the day to get the medication that was prescribed to him – a valium pill or diazepam – and was successful.

Bravo broke the pill in half and gave some to another prisoner.

Mr Galloway said Bravo later approached the man he stole the medication from in the shower and headbutted him, causing lacerations above his left eyebrow.

Once again, the offending was captured on CCTV.

The victim was transported to hospital and required three stitches for the lacerations.

Bravo’s counsel Scott Neaves said his client had made some headway in bettering himself while in custody, working in the kitchen and completing some education courses.

Mr Neaves also noted Bravo had a strong support system, including a partner and a child, that were waiting for him on the outside and would help him should he be released on parole.

Judge Dennis Lynch QC said the circumstances surrounding the burglary in particular demonstrated “serious offending”, referring also to his “significant” criminal history which included many like property offences.

Mr Lynch acknowledged Bravo’s personal circumstances when deciding an appropriate sentence, including his difficult upbringing and the head injury he suffered as a child.

The court heard Bravo had also been using drugs for many years, injecting from as young as 16 years old, and suffered mental ill health.

Mr Lynch sentenced Bravo to 4.5 years’ imprisonment, comprising 3.5 years for burglary and 12 months for the offending which occurred at the watchhouse,

Taking into account the 496 days Bravo had already served in custody to Sunday February 6, Mr Lynch granted him immediate parole eligibility.

“Hopefully you will come to the realisation that if you don’t change your behaviour significantly, you’re going to spend an awfully long time in jail,” Mr Lynch said.

Originally published as Randal Bravo: Ipswich man sentenced for burglary, assaults while in custody