Thomas Owens pleads guilty to assault, carrying a knife and urinating on a car

A Newcastle rapper has told an Adelaide court God “slapped him in that face” after copping a series of charges over incidents at a popular beach.

A Newcastle rapper has told a magistrate he will never be before a court again after urinating on a car, assaulting a man and producing a knife at a popular beach.

Thomas Owens wiped away tears as he sat in the dock in the Christies Beach Magistrate Court, pleading guilty to a number of charges including urinating in a public place, aggravated assault and carrying an offensive weapon.

The court heard on the December 28, 2020, Owens was in attendance at the Aldinga Beach Hotel with some friends.

Thomas Owens pleaded guilty to a number of charges including basic assault.

“They (Owens and his friends) were mucking around … having a bit of fun and that is where it ended,” the police prosecutor told the court.

The court heard four hours later, the victim left the hotel for the neighbouring bottle shop.

“The victim sees the defendant approach him, he feels scared and thinks to leave the area,” said the police prosecutor.

“He’s approached by the defendant with ‘let’s go’, ‘cmon, let’s go’ and the victim says he kept walking.

“The victim is then hit once to the mouth area, resulting in a tooth coming out and bleeding from the mouth.”

Police attended the hotel a short time later and locate a knife in a black sheet.

Owens was not interviewed at the time due to his intoxication level.

On April 2, 2021 at Silver Sands, a family were enjoying a relaxed day at the beach when the victim spotted Owens urinating on his car.

Thomas Owens, known as rapper ‘TKO’ said God ‘slapped him in his face’. Pic: Facebook

Two hours later, the victim observed Owens return to the vehicle again where he confronted him for his actions.

“They engage in a conversation but it doesn't go so well and as a result the defendant slaps the victim in the face,” the police prosecutor said.

“The defendant then pulls out a knife … He (Owens) says ‘I’ll f**king syab you, I’ll kill you’”.

“However, no physical contact is made between the parties and the police attended the scene a short time later.

Owens defence lawyer submitted to Magistrate Natalie Browne for a degree of mercy for the father of three, given his engagement in services to better himself.

“Mr Owens has come a long way since his youth … he is remorseful for his actions,” his defence lawyer submitted.

Owens addressed the court himself, saying the guidance from God has put him back on the right path.

“I had a relapse … Then I had a big slap in the face from God and he told me what I had to do and what has to be done,” he said.

“Because of that I am now a great father and a great husband.”

According to his rapper Facebook page, Owens has five number one iTunes albums, recently releasing a song titled ‘Not Guilty’.

Magistrate Browne sentenced Owens to a total of five months and 12 days imprisonment, wholly suspended to ensure he continues to engage with services.

Convictions were recorded.