Celeb chef Leonardo Moreira Loureiro admits assaulting ex-girlfriend Brenda Loveday
A well known Adelaide chef has admitted to assaulting his former partner – but prosecutors have withdrawn allegations he choked her.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A celebrity Adelaide chef has admitted he was violent to his food influencer ex girlfriend while allegations he choked her were not proceeded with.
On Thursday, Leonardo Moreira Loureiro appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to answer three domestic violence charges against his former partner Brenda Loveday.
Magistrate Justin Wickens read a single charge to Moreira Loureiro, stood in the dock, who responded only with “guilty”.
Moreira Loureiro, 32, of Seaton, has now pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault without a weapon.
A second count of the charge, and one of choking, suffocating or strangling a person in a domestic setting has been withdrawn by prosecutors.
The court heard Moreira Loureiro, assaulted Ms Loveday, a social media influencer with whom he used to co-own the Nina restaurant on July 21, and the offence was aggravated by the fact he was knowingly in or previously in a relationship with her.
Moreira Loureiro previously argued “senior” prosecutors should speak with Ms Loveday before further pursuing him.
Moreira Loureiro has previously worked with industry icons including Jock Zonfrillo, Matt Moran and Italian legend Massimo Bottura.
the Brazilian-born chef started out as a lawyer in his homeland before switching careers after Three years, eventually emigrating to Australia to study at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney.
He spent time at Moran’s acclaimed venue, Aria, before moving to Adelaide where he worked at Zonfrillo’s Rundle St fine diner, Orana, as a Commis Chef and Chef de Parti, and at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Moreira Loureiro launched his own home delivery business, Basque By Leo, during Covid, offering his specialty basque cheesecakes.
In 2023, he teamed up with his former partner Ms Loveday, a marketing guru, and Jessica Purcell (Africola, Leigh St Wine Room) to open his first venue, a tapas-style Spanish restaurant called Nina in Adelaide’s CBD.
Ms Loveday is no longer a part of the restaurant.
Moreira Loureiro was remanded on continuing bail, and the matter will return to court in June.
Man in hospital after horror crash at busy intersection
A man has been rushed to hospital after a serious crash between a car and a motorbike at a major intersection just south of the city. See the shocking photos.
High-priced hoon: Man cops whopping fine for extreme speed
An extreme speeder who was allegedly caught going more than 180km/h has been slapped with a mammoth fine. Find out how much it cost him.