Luke Wayne Calverley jailed for horrific domestic violence rampage against partner

A terrified woman was forced to play dead after her partner – who choked and bashed her until she lost consciousness – threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.

A rugby talent’s horrific domestic violence rampage involved choking and bashing his partner until she lost consciousness, a court has heard.

Luke Wayne Calverley, 38, was jailed for over two years after the mother of his two children was forced to play dead to escape him.

During sentencing, the court heard Calverley and his partner returned to their Crystal Brook home in the early hours of January 1, 2020, following New Year’s celebrations in Port Pirie.

Calverley then attempted to strangle his partner of four years.

“You pushed her through the bedroom window (and) the glass smashed, causing her to cut her arm and shoulder,” Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett said.

The court heard the victim left the bedroom but Calverley followed her down the hallway.

“You grabbed her arm and placed your hands around her throat … you squeezed while pushing her head into the hall,” Auxiliary Judge Barrett said.

Police attended but the victim dropped the charges as she wanted to work on their relationship.

The court heard Calverley then choked the victim for around 30 seconds in April 2020.

“You dragged her off the mattress by her ankle, causing her head to hit the doorway,” Auxiliary Judge Barrett said.

Calverley then pushed her into the doorframe and grabbed her hair, ripping out a chunk of it.

He pushed her to the ground and began punching her.

“You kicked her repeatedly to her legs, back and stomach, she vomited due to the force of your kicking,” Auxiliary Judge Barrett said.

The victim tried to flee but Calverley caught her and drove her head into the fireplace, causing her to lose consciousness.

When she came to, Calverley continued to strangle and punch her – threatening that if she tried to escape again, he’d kill her and she would not see her children.

“She pretended to play dead … when she heard you go to the toilet she ran out of the house to a neighbouring property, screaming for help,” Auxiliary Judge Barrett said.

The court heard the victim hid in the trees of a neighbour’s house as Calverley ran past her down the street and the police were called.

The victim was hospitalised for four days, suffering bruising and red marks around her neck.

Calverley, of Hackham, pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent and choking.

Luke Calverley was jailed for multiple domestic violence offences. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Calverley, who was born in Port Lincoln, left school at 15 and started working as a concreter.

He started playing rugby at a young age and reached state level, before being picked for the national team.

However, his drug use and criminal history – which included stealing cars and going on joy rides – saw him not be able to take up the opportunity.

The court heard Calverley was at large for several months before he was arrested after a car crash.

The court heard Calverley now has a new partner and wants to return to the workforce when released from custody.

Calverley was sentenced to two years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and six months.

The sentence was backdated to December 14.