Adelaide man Tyson Hubbard jailed for domestic violence against woman living with disability
A young man who perpetrated an "absolute horror" four-month regime of physical, controlling and manipulative domestic violence has been handed a more than seven year sentence.
Warning: This story may be distressing to some readers.
Tyson Hubbard was 25 when he was in a relationship "characterised by regular physical violence and threats" with a woman living with a disability.
In sentencing, South Australian District Court Judge Liesl Kudelka said it was "really concerning" someone of Hubbard's young age had perpetrated such violence against a partner.
If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0
"You controlled her finances by taking control of her bank accounts and bank cards," she said.
"You used her money for your own purposes and would not allow her to access her NDIS funding.
"You prevented her from attending her necessary medical appointments which were required for the management of her disability."
Judge Kudelka said Hubbard had also changed the settings on her mobile phone so only he could access it.
"This prevented her from being able to contact her family and friends," she said.
"You restricted her from leaving the house without you."
Judge Kudelka said it was against that background of control that Hubbard also inflicted violence and other demeaning acts against the woman, who is an NDIS recipient requiring ongoing medical treatment.
On one occasion the judge said she was assaulted after he accused her of being unfaithful and when she sought treatment, he made her lie about what happened.
"Medical advice was that she get a CT scan, but it did not happen because you prevented her from obtaining further medical care," Judge Kudelka said.
She said other incidents included Hubbard telling the woman to say goodbye to her pets, driving her down an unknown dark road and telling her to run as he brandished a "large kitchen knife".
On the final occasion of physical violence, the judge said Hubbard dragged the woman by her hair, kicked her rib cage and pushed her head into a mirror.
"Eventually, she was trying to sleep on the floor in the lounge room, but you continued to punch her in the forehead another 40-50 times," Judge Kudelka said.
At hospital, the woman initially lied about her injuries, before revealing the truth.
Her injuries included severe facial and "extensive" neck swelling with blood clots, multiple rib fractures and blood clots to her right ear which needed specialist intervention.
While in hospital, she said Hubbard continued to send her "manipulative and controlling messages".
In her remarks, Judge Kudelka said she had detailed each of the incidents so that Hubbard could "listen very carefully to the absolute horror" he had inflicted.
Hubbard pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated causing harm with intent and four counts of aggravated assault.
Judge Kudelka said the woman had delivered a "very powerful" victim impact statement to the court.
"She describes that it is not just a physical attack, it is an assault upon her sense of self, her security and her dignity," she said.
"She says during the relationship, she was stripped of her autonomy, her voice and her right to feel safe in her own body and space.
"She is obviously a very brave and courageous young woman.
"Despite the pain and trauma, she says that she is determined to reclaim her life and refuses to let the actions of what you have done define her future."
Judge Kudelka said domestic violence was "now recognised as the epidemic that it has always been in our community".
"The harm that is caused, largely to women by men, is serious and far-reaching," she said.
The judge acknowledged Hubbard, who she said was abandoned by his mother at a young age, had apologised and demonstrated some insight into his offending.
Judge Kudelka jailed Hubbard for seven years, four months and 28 days and set a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years to allow him to spend a "significant period" under supervision while on parole.
The sentence was backdated to April last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
27 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Minns NSW Government to introduce suite of DV reforms to close loopholes
The NSW government is set to introduce groundbreaking reforms aimed at bolstering support for victims of sexual violence across the state and closing a loophole that left a shocking crime unpunished in some cases. The Minns Labor Government is set to introduce a suite of reforms to parliament next week, bringing NSW into line with relevant Commonwealth offences and increasing protections from sexual exploitation. A new provision to the Crimes Act 1900 will ensure sexual offenders who either sexually assault someone or indecently interfere with their body after death are unable to escape prosecution when the time of death is unknown, making which specific crime occurred unclear. The new provision means when it is clear 'beyond a reasonable doubt 'that one of these two crimes occurred, but it is uncertain due to the timing of death which one, the accused will be sentenced with whichever offence has the lesser maximum penalty. Previously they would have been unpunished. The government says the reform is in 'direct response' to issues that arose in the inquest of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith in 2024, and the tireless advocacy of their families for reform. The penalty for indecently assaulting a deceased person will also be increased and criminalising female genital mutilation will also be strengthened. Other amendments to the act will redefine the age threshold for child abuse material offences, raising it from 16 to 18 years, aligning with Commonwealth standards. These reforms are designed to close existing legislative gaps and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children. The Crimes Act will also be amended to 'make it easier to prosecute people who commit sexual acts in the presence of children', the Minns government said in a statement. Changes to the act will also be made to ensure female genital mutilation is considered a crime regardless of the reason or motivation or age of the victim, while ensuring medically necessary practices are protected. The legislation, to be introduced in Parliament the day after the Minns Labor Government hands down the 2025-2026 NSW budget, comes after changes around domestic violence offences. These changes included making it harder for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, and introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders. It also strengthened laws to protect against repeated breaches of ADVOs, and made changes to bail courts across NSW to ensure bail decisions are made by magistrates and judges – not registrars. Attorney-General Michael Daley said the Minns Labor Government stands with victim-survivors. 'We are ensuring that women and children are better protected from sexual abuse and exploitation,' he said. 'Our Government is closing loopholes and strengthening the law to make it easier to prosecute those who commit acts of sexual violence. 'I thank the families of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose 'Cindy' Smith for their bravery and advocacy in the face of tragedy to strengthen New South Wales laws to better protect victims.' Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said the government is 'working to build a safer New South Wales for women and children'. 'Sexual and abuse and exploitation is unacceptable, at the same time as we are investing in support services for victim survivors, we are ensuring that perpetrators are held to account,' she said. 'We will continue to work with experts, advocates and victim survivors to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence across our state.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Footscray man dies after alleged assault by released immigration detainee
A 62-year-old man has died in hospital from injuries he sustained after an alleged serious assault in Melbourne's inner west last weekend. The man was taken to hospital and placed on life support after he was allegedly assaulted at the intersection of Nicholson and Paisley streets in Footscray on Sunday morning. Police arrested Friday Yokoju after the assault, charging him with intentionally causing serious injury. A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigators would now consider alternate charges following the man's death. The ABC understands the 43-year-old was released from immigration detention after a 2023 High Court ruling sometimes referred to as NZYQ. The court set aside an earlier judgement that ruled indefinite immigration was lawful, which triggered the release of about 140 detainees, including Mr Yokoju. Mr Yokoju had been remanded in custody after an initial court hearing on Monday over the assault, where his lawyer requested an urgent psychiatric assessment. He had previously remained in the community on a bridging visa while the Department of Home Affairs worked on his deportation. He is next expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in October.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Sterling gentleman not a monster': Sydney man found not guity of rape
A schoolboy accused of raping, choking, assaulting, and intimidating a woman has been found not guilty of all charges, after a jury accepted the 'sterling gentleman' could not have transformed into a 'horrendous monster' for a single year. Christopher Kay, now 21, stood trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to 18 charges relating to an alleged victim when they were both 17-year old school students. A jury took less than a day to find the Chatswood man not guilty of all charges. Mr Kay was accused of sexual intercourse without consent - with the Crown relying on her alleged comments 'Maybe not right now. Can we please do this later?' to show her lack of consent. He was also accused of damaging her necklace and mobile phone in fits of anger. Mr Kay's defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC told the jury that while acknowledging the abhorrent nature of sexual assault and violence against women, false allegations are equally serious and that the complainant had fabricated a narrative to frame her client. She described Mr Kay as a 'sterling gentleman', highlighting his good character, academic achievements, and lack of prior offences - arguing it was improbable for him to suddenly transform into a 'horrendous monster'. Ms Cunneen accused the complainant of 'retrofitting' and embellishing her evidence, portraying her as an 'entitled, very spoilt actress' who had lied under oath. Evidence that Mr Kay had called the alleged victim's mother, expressing concern for her emotional state and asking her to come and get her was behaviour inconsistent with the behaviour of an abuser, Ms Cunneen told the court. Ms Cunneen questioned why the complainant and her current boyfriend had concealed their relationship, suggesting it was part of a scheme to portray the complainant as a victim. She told the jury the complainant was 'very, very keen on sex' and often initiated it and suggested that, given the explicit nature of their communications, Mr Kay had reason to believe he had. Crown Prosecutor Simon Healy said the verdicts should be a 'technical decision' based on the evidence, a yes/no answer to whether the Crown has proven the essential elements of each count, rather than an emotional decision based on personal feelings. Acknowledging the complainant could be fun and pleasant, he said she was also demanding and difficult. However, he stressed that the trial was not about her character, but about whether the Crown had proven the essential elements of each count. Ms Cunneen told Mr Kay, who had his passport seized by police, missed scholarship and exchange opportunities at overseas universities while he waited to defend the charges. She said the court heard Mr Kay's good character evidence also spanned the period in question and the three years since. The evidence included a young woman friend of both who declared herself a 'deep-rooted feminist' but that, 'to her close observation, Christopher was always calm and caring while the complainant used 'weaponised panic attacks' to get her way.' The court also heard the alleged offences were said to have occurred at Mr Kay's home, a two-bedroom apartment, yet the police did not obtain statements from his parents, who were usually home. They gave evidence that they heard nothing untoward, and heard only laughter coming from the room. Mr Kay told 'This has been an incredibly traumatic experience for my family and me. I'm glad that the truth was revealed and a new chapter of life can begin.'
