Danny Joe Dullaway to be sentenced for causing serious harm with intent after hammer attack at Hallett

After a man who had allegedly been threatening him showed up to his house, a shearer used a car and hammer to launch a brutal attack in “five minutes of madness”.

A shearer launched a brutal hammer attack on a man in “five minutes of madness” after he rocked up to his house in bizarre circumstances.
Danny Joe Dullaway, 34, begged the court for a lenient sentence after the court heard it was “extremely fortunate” the victim didn’t suffer worse injuries.

During sentencing submissions on Monday, the District Court heard the victim, who was known to Dullaway, went to his Hallett home on the night of January 15.

The court heard the men got into a fight before Dullaway jumped in his car and chased the victim down, striking him with it.

The court heard he then bashed the victim with a hammer.

Danny Dullaway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm with intent. Photo: Facebook

He will be sentenced later this month. Photo: Facebook

The victim was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after sustaining multiple head wounds, loss of teeth, a broken left thumb requiring surgery and a broken jaw in multiple locations.

“There’s no suggestion that the defendant was acting in self defence at the time,” the prosecutor said.

“There was a period of time following the initial assault on the porch when the victim fled from the premises where the defendant could have contacted police

“He chose not to do that and instead armed himself with a hammer and got in to his vehicle.”

The prosecutor said it was “extremely fortunate” the victim did not suffer more serious injuries.

The court heard Dullaway’s offending had left the victim feeling socially anxious, paranoid and depressed, as well as suffering ongoing physical pain.

Dullaway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm with intent and committing an act to cause serious harm.

Craig Caldicott, for Dullaway, told the court there had been perceived threats and text messages to Dullaway from the victim in the previous months before he showed up that night.

“During all this, unfortunately for my client his partner was at home with all the four children. His 11-year-old daughter was screaming,” he said.

Mr Caldicott said his client suffered a head injury during the fight but it didn’t excuse his “five minutes of madness”.

The court heard Dullaway being in custody had placed enormous pressure on his partner, as she was now behind on their mortgage.

Dullaway will be sentenced later in the month.