Whangārei, New Zealand – A man was sentenced to eight years in prison for a brutal late-night attack on his ex-girlfriend and her new partner while they were camping at a remote beach. The judge delivered a stern message, emphasizing that women are not property and no one has the right to control or harm them.
Michael Bracey, 50, was found guilty of wounding with intent to injure and possession of an offensive weapon, a knife, in connection to the violent assault that left his ex-girlfriend psychologically scarred and her new partner with serious injuries. Despite Bracey’s claims of going to the campground to retrieve property, the jury and sentencing judge did not believe his excuse.
The relationship between Bracey and his ex-girlfriend ended in August, but he struggled to accept it, leading to multiple incidents between them. Bracey’s discovery of their camping plans prompted a chilling message to his ex-girlfriend, indicating a clear intent to cause harm.
Dressed in dark clothing and armed with a hammer and knife, Bracey ambushed the couple in the middle of the night, attacking the new partner while he was cooking dinner. The violent altercation was only halted when emergency services arrived, capturing Bracey’s unstable state during the hour-long 111 call.
The judge commended the victim for her bravery in the face of danger, highlighting the lasting psychological effects of the attack. Bracey’s lies of self-defense and retrieval of property were debunked in court, with the judge dismissing them as baseless and unbelievable.
The sentencing judge underscored the prevalence of domestic violence-related homicides in New Zealand and condemned Bracey’s actions as a dangerous example of controlling behavior. The case sheds light on the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the need for stronger measures to protect victims from such violence.