Toowoomba man Brenton Clark pleads guilty to terrifying stalking attack
A stalker’s campaign of terror began just hours after police protections were granted to his victim; despite even more court orders, he refused to stop.
A man who defied almost every court order imaginable to stalk his victim has claimed a year in prison has allowed him to rehabilitate.
Brenton Dane Clark, 42, pleaded guilty before Toowoomba District Court on November 25 to unlawful stalking and 21 lesser charges, including domestic violence, assault, driving and drug offences.
The court heard Clark persistently stalked a woman from August to November in 2024, sending copious voice and text messages, and attending her home on several occasions.
Crown prosecutor Abby Kong said the stalking began only 14 hours after a police protection order was issued with Clark as the respondent.
“It’s particularly serious and aggravating that orders of all sorts of nature did not deter the stalking conduct,” Ms Kong said, adding several other court orders were broken in the course of his offending.
“Just about every order that could be contravened was.”
Defence barrister Jessica Goldie said Clark grappled with drug dependency but worked hard to rehabilitate while in pre-sentence custody, working with counsellors to address his drug and anger issues.
“He has had some issues with drug use,” Ms Goldie said.
“This is something that he was using at the time of the offending; he has since been clean while he has been in custody (this last year).
“He has been working on his rehabilitation in terms of maintaining his health and fitness as well as working full-time in the landscaping industry, he is eager to find employment upon his release.
Judge John Allen KC sentenced Clark to two years imprisonment, immediately suspended for two years with 384 days of pre-sentence custody declared time served.
“Your actions showed wilful defiance of orders of the court and a disregard for the complainant,” Judge Allan told Clark.
“I certainly do hope that the period of over one year you have served in (pre-sentence) custody will act as a very strong deterrent to you.
“Those who know you well, including family, who continue to offer you support, paint a picture of a person who is otherwise loving, loyal and capable of positive contributions.
“I hope with that support and the type of assistance that might be provided on probation, you will continue the positive steps you have taken.”
Judge Allan also ordered Clark to serve two years’ probation and disqualified him from driving or holding a licence for one month.
More Coverage
Originally published as Toowoomba man Brenton Clark pleads guilty to terrifying stalking attack
