Rapist on bail struck again

Court told man grabbed terrified victims by the throat in attacks

A Gold Coast man was on bail after breaking into a woman’s home and violently raping her when he brazenly sexually assaulted a second victim only months later.

Bradley Dean Croft’s first victim woke up to find the man – who she recognised but did not know well – standing by her bedroom door at about 2am on December 3, 2021.

Southport District Court was told they spoke briefly before Croft suggested that they kiss, forcing himself on the woman when she refused.

The court was told the 25year-old then took off his victim’s underwear and performed or demanded that she perform various sex acts without her consent, eventually pushing her back on to the bed and raping her.

Croft grabbed the woman’s throat and squeezed until she had difficulty breathing several times during the ordeal.

It was heard his terrified victim tried to tell Croft “no” or that he needed to leave, but eventually complied with his demands, believing resistance was futile.

Croft was charged and granted bail after the rape was reported to police.

The court was told Croft preyed on a second victim while at a party in April 2022.

Leading the woman – who he had not previously met – outside on two separate occasions, Croft kissed and touched her before repeatedly grabbing her neck and trying to force her to perform oral sex. Croft told the woman he “thought it would be fun” after she escaped and told him to stop.

Parts of a victim impact statement from Croft’s first victim were read in court, revealing she lived with a sense of shame for not fighting against him harder and caused such profound fear and insecurity that she temporarily lived somewhere else.

Croft wiped his eyes and nose with tissues at various points throughout proceedings, often looking to his partner and family members in the courtroom gallery.

Defence barrister James Grehan said his client was “deeply remorseful” for his conduct and knew it significantly affected his victims.

Mr Grehan said Croft was severely abusing alcohol at the time as he tried to cope with the deaths of two close friends and process other trauma in his life.

Mr Grehan said Croft was so drunk when he raped his first victim that he was under the “honest but unreasonable mistaken belief” that she was consenting. Mr Grehan said Croft had since sought treatment and was committed to his rehabilitation.

Croft pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, three of common assault, two of sexual assault, and one of in dwelling and commit indictable offence.

He was sentenced to six and a half years’ jail with parole eligibility from March 15, 2026.