Commonwealth v. Bobby Randall Bland; Over 20 Years to Serve for Brutal Attack of Ex-Girlfriend

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Bobby Randall Bland, age 63, formerly of the 4100 block of Front Royal Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced today for charges of Malicious Wounding, Statutory Burglary of Building with the Intent to Commit Rape/Rob/Murder/Arson, and Assault and Battery of a Family Member. Circuit Court Judge Steven C. Mahan sentenced Bland to twenty (20) years and twelve (12) months in prison.  This sentence greatly exceeded the high end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines, which recommended a sentence no greater than five (5) years and ten (10) months.

Bland pled guilty on February 6, 2024. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence would have proven that in October 2023, Bobby Randall Bland and the victim lived together at the victim’s residence.  On October 17, 2023, the victim evicted Bland.  On the evening of October 23, 2023, the victim woke up to Bland breaking the sliding glass door to her bedroom with a brick.  She grabbed her phone and ran to the front door of the apartment, and Bland followed her yelling that he was going to kill her.  As she escaped out the front door, Bland struck her in the head with the brick.  He struck her at least ten (10) to fifteen (15) more times while yelling that he was going to kill her.  The victim was able to fight the brick away, but Bland continued to fight her.  A neighbor heard the commotion and saw Bland attacking the victim.  The neighbor called 911 and held Bland at gunpoint until police arrived on scene.

Police observed the victim bleeding profusely from the head and found a chunk of bloody brick next to her.  Bland’s hands were covered in blood.  As he was placed in a patrol car, Bland told police that the victim was lucky because he had been trying to kill her, and that she “got what she deserved.” 

The victim was transported to the hospital where she received multiple staples due to the deep lacerations to her head, had injuries to her fingers, and a brain bleed.

Bland has prior conviction for DUI.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Liane Galardi prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.