One of three men who murdered Athol Tollard in act of ‘extraordinary cruelty’ paroled

A man who brutally murdered a pensioner in his Rokeby home has been released from jail. The 79-year-old was the childhood father figure of slain mum Ellie Price (pictured). LATEST >>

A man who brutally murdered pensioner Athol Tollard in the victim’s Rokeby home alongside two accomplices has been released from jail on parole.

Brendan James Gray was sentenced in July 2005 to 32 years imprisonment with a 17-year non-parole period for murder, aggravated burglary, stealing and arson alongside his accomplices Christopher John Watt and John Frederick Duggan.

The court heard during Gray’s sentencing he had been the one to instigate the burglary.

He had believed Mr Tollard was keeping firearms and ammunition, and the trio were looking for weapons to seek revenge on an enemy.

The house in Droughty Point Road Rokeby where Athol Tollard was found dead

The court had heard the murder involved the “invasion of a respectable citizen’s home by three aggressive and drunken men who were intent on robbing him at gunpoint, and willing to inflict very serious violence if he resisted”.

Mr Tollard was a childhood father figure to the late 26-year-old Ellie Price, the alleged victim of boyfriend Ricardo Barbaro who is due to stand trial over the alleged murder.

Then-31-year-old Gray and his accomplices subjected Mr Tollard to “extraordinary cruelty” and his home was destroyed in a fire in an attempt to cover up the crime.

The 79-year-old victim had been beaten and sustained fractured ribs and bruises. He was shot twice and died after bleeding from his right lung.

The Parole Board of Tasmania said Gray had made positive progress over his 17 years behind bars and had been motivated by his family to improve on his behaviour and stay sober.

“The applicant has held employment on a full-time basis at the Risdon Vale Neighbourhood Centre to positive reports and has engaged in many therapeutic and vocational courses over the years,” the board said.

“He has participated without issue on reintegration and socialisation leave within the community.

Risdon Prison. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The applicant does have a history of offending which has seen him engage with Community Corrections on Community Service and Probation Orders in the past. He has had an unfortunate childhood, was homeless and laboured under addiction particularly to alcohol.”

The board said nothing could “repair the harm caused by his actions”, but expressed hope Gray would not harm others.

The board approved his parole from August 3, 2021 to August 3, 2036 on the condition that he does not contact the victim’s family, but will submit to electronic monitoring and comply with a mental health care plan.