4 days ago
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.
