A Sydney real estate agent has been sentenced after pleading guilty to harassment, threats, and a series of chilling emails in which he encouraged his female colleague to take her own life while he made funeral home arrangements.
Sydney real estate agent Adrian Bruno, 39, received an 18-month community correction order after pleading guilty to sending threatening emails to female colleagues.
Earlier this year, the court heard Bruno sent graphic and threatening emails to female colleagues, including messages urging one woman to take her own life and arranging funeral services in her name.
The court heard one of the women said Bruno’s prolonged campaign of threatening emails left her living in fear, triggering anxiety, panic attacks, and a lasting loss of security.
She said the anxiety had pushed her to stop her children from attending certain activities unless she was present out of concern for their safety.
Additionally, the woman told the court that the abuse included repeated messages urging a junior staff member to take their own life, as well as threats of rape and violent death.
While originally indicted for 20 counts, in April 2026, Bruno pleaded guilty to one count of publishing false or misleading material to obtain an advantage and six counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend.
Bruno’s nine other counts were withdrawn.
At Burwood Local Court, Judge Christopher Halburd also issued five-year apprehended violence orders banning Bruno from assaulting, threatening, stalking, or intimidating his former colleagues and anyone they live with.
Should Bruno breach the orders, he could end up in jail for up to two years.
Similar to his other appearance, Bruno had brought his Bible to court and had been seen reading it in front of the courtroom.
Bruno’s lawyer acknowledged the seriousness of the offending and the significant impact it had on his former colleagues, but argued there was no evidence he had acted on the threats.
The court heard the 39-year-old had a long history of mental illness and that some of the messages were sent when he had allegedly failed to take his prescribed medication, with the defence seeking a community-based sentence to support his ongoing treatment.
To get support, call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348, or the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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