Adrian Richard Rand, 37, smiles while a supporter (not pictured) dances in front of media who were trying to take his photograph. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A jealous and possessive man has been sentenced for creeping into his ex-partner’s bedroom and verbally abusing her before stabbing her male friend in the back twice.
There were unusual scenes outside the courthouse after Adrian Richard Rand was spared being returned to jail. While members of the media were trying to take his photograph, one of his supporters pulled up their top to flash her bra and danced around in front of them.
This supporter had also called the reporters “pieces of s-t” while another called them “scum”.
Rand’s relationship with his ex-partner had become somewhat strained. However, he appeared to wish her well in her relationship with another man, Acting Justice Richard Refshauge told the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday (27 June).
However, around 2.30 am on 7 July 2022, he rode an e-scooter to this woman’s house and parked it in her driveway before going inside.
The woman and her male friend, who had fallen asleep on her bed while fully clothed, woke to find him inside the bedroom where he abused her and told the man to “get the f-k out”.
He left the house for about five minutes, but while outside, he texted a friend to say he’d found the woman in bed with another man and messaged the woman sexualised texts as well as one calling her friend a “dead man walking”.
Rand then returned to the bedroom with a large bowie knife, stood next to the bed and verbally abused the woman again while yelling at the man to leave.
Worried of being attacked by the knife-wielding Rand, the man grabbed and punched him, then the pair fell onto the bed in a scuffle. Rand stabbed the man in the back twice during the fight.
Two friends who had been at the house heard the commotion and arrived to yell at Rand to leave. He did so.
Meanwhile, the man noticed a lot of blood around him on the floor. He was taken to Canberra Hospital and treated for two stab wounds, 4.5 cm and 3 cm deep, on either side of his spine. He was discharged several hours later.
Adrian Richard Rand leaves court while a supporter dances in front of the media. Photo: Albert McKnight.
Acting Justice Refshauge said Rand continued to text the woman after the stabbing, making crude remarks about the relationship between her and the male victim.
He was arrested at his home in Belconnen the next day, admitting to police that he was “pretty upset” when he saw his victims in the bedroom, but also said he had no intention of using the knife when he went back into the room.
The acting justice said Rand continued calling the woman after he was in custody, but she didn’t pick up. He also called others, complaining of what he thought was her sexual relationship with the man and tried to suggest the woman had some responsibility for his offending.
He originally pleaded not guilty to his charges but, earlier this year, pleaded guilty to intentionally inflicting actual bodily harm and making a threat to kill.
He spent 315 days in custody before being granted bail.
Acting Justice Refshauge said he had shown possessiveness and jealousy and had tried to blame the woman for his actions, which was an attitude that required a stern response.
He noted Rand had run his own roof restoration business but was now on JobSeeker welfare payments and was single.
He also said the 37-year-old’s drug of choice had been methamphetamine which he had first used in his mid-20s before smoking one to two grams a day for a time, but apparently, he hadn’t used it since he was arrested.
Rand said he was on ‘ice’ and had made a lot of mistakes that night, while he had also written a letter for the court to say he “deeply regrets” his offending.
He was convicted and sentenced to three years and 11 months’ jail, but had asked to serve his sentence via a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order so he could address his drug dependency.
Acting Justice Refshauge ultimately made such an order, telling Rand that he must comply with a treatment and supervision component for two years, then a good behaviour order for 13 months.
He also told him that honesty was important in the program, saying there should be “none of this macho rubbish”.
Loading ...
@Ken M "The RSPCA can’t even find fault with the conditions the sheep are now being transported… View