Todd Abbott jailed for violent home invasion on partner in act of domestic violence

A drugged-up tradie ripped out chunks of his partner’s hair after he broke into her house, demanded to see her phone and attacked her in a jealous rage.

A man left his partner petrified of him after he broke into her house and attacked her in a jealous rage.

Todd Abbott, 26, ripped some of his victim’s hair out during the terrifying home invasion.

The Adelaide District Court heard the victim was Abbott’s on and off again partner of one year.

Abbott also broke the victim’s phone in February of 2020 after he demanded to see it.

The court heard the victim was at home on October 22 when Abbott attended.

“(The victim) was soon awoken by the sound of you kicking the front security screen of the house and as a result damaging it,” Judge Timothy Heffernan said during sentencing.

Abbott left but returned an hour later and the victim told him to leave again.

“You responded saying ‘I think it’s funny that you think I can’t get into the house’,” Judge Heffernan said.

“You proceeded to kick the door in and you entered the premises.”

Once inside, Abbott asked the victim where her phone was.

“You then grabbed the complainant’s hair with your right hand and pulled her down to the ground,” Judge Heffernan said.

The court heard the victim suffered soreness to the back of her head and lost some hair as a result of the attack.

Abbott was arrested six days later.

“(The victim) says that your actions caused her to be petrified of you and that you were extremely controlling and abusive towards her,” Judge Heffernan said.

“She no longer feels safe in her own home and is constantly anxious about what you are going to do.”

Todd Abbott was jailed in Adelaide District Court for a violent home invasion on his ex-partner. Picture: Facebook

Abbott, of Smithfield, pleaded guilty to property damage, serious criminal trespass and assault.

The court heard when Abbott’s methamphetamine use peaked he was using up to a gram a day at the time of the offending.

“I accept that much of your offending arose from paranoia and volatility stemming from your drug use,” Judge Heffernan said.

“This made you susceptible to unfounded jealousy and general distrust towards (the victim).”

The court heard Abbott hopes to work in furniture construction and abstain from drugs once released from custody.

He has currently been abstinent for 15-months.

“Domestic violence in any form is deplorable … your conduct involved persistent behaviour similar to stalking,” Judge Heffernan said.

“Women are entitled to be safe in their homes and to leave relationships on their own terms free from harassment and violence.”

Judge Heffernan sentenced Abbott to one year and four months jail, with a non-parole period of 11 months.

The sentence was backdated to October 28, 2020, meaning Abbott is eligible for parole.