Man who murdered pensioner out of jail

A MAN who 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 17year 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.

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”.

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 79year-old victim 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 during his 17 years behind bars and had been motivated by his family to improve on his behaviour.

“He has participated without issue on reintegration and socialisation leave within the community,” the board said.

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.