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Top Liberal’s staffer convicted of abusive phone calls

Brendan Blomeley enters Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

Brendan Blomeley enters Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. AAP/Dean Lewins

A senior federal government staffer has been convicted and fined for harassing his elderly parents-in-law with a series abusive voicemail and text messages.

Brendan Blomeley, chief of staff to Liberal Senator David Bushby, the government whip in the Senate, was convicted at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, after being found guilty of using a carriage service to harass.

The 42-year-old left a series of expletive-laden messages for the elderly parents of his estranged wife in late 2015.

Blomely reportedly called both Julia and Ted Edwards a f***ing mongrel and f***wit among other names over the course of 26 to 33 hours.

“This is probably the most traumatic event, emotionally, that Blomeley has ever gone through,” defence counsel Neal Funnell said of his client’s marriage breakdown.

“This was a messy custody battle occurring in the context of a very acrimonious marriage breakdown.”

Senator Bushby provided a reference letter for his employee to the court.

A psychologist’s letter was also provided on Blomeley’s behalf which stated he suffers from severe depression.

“The community needs to be sent a message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated,” crown prosecutor Catherine Newman said.

Upon recording a conviction, Magistrate Megan Greenwood said Blomeley had “expressed no remorse whatsoever” for his conduct.

Senator Bushby has been contacted for comment.

-AAP

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