Former SA Police officer Matthew Thomson jailed as victim calls for internal investigation into ‘cult-like boys club’
A former cop who painted himself as a saint has been punished for horrific domestic violence – and his victim says his “boys club” must now be investigated.
Police & Courts
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Matthew Alan Thomson sold himself to the world as a decorated ex-SA Police officer and emotionally-invested father bringing his influence to bear against toxic masculinity.
In truth, he was the living embodiment of all he claimed to stand against – a bully who slowly, deliberately, repeatedly and, with calculation, violently abused his then-wife.
He silenced Stella Magnisalis for years, with the court hearing how he forced her obedience through fear and pain, kicking her head like a ball and dehumanising her, even while pregnant, all in the name of “love”.
Earlier this month, Thomson begged the District Court for a merciful home detention sentence – on Monday, Judge Anthony Allen rejected his plea and jailed him for at least 12 months.
Allowing Thomson to return to his new wife and infant son would, he said, undermine the public’s confidence in justice given the “seriousness, frequency, severity and length” of his offending.
Outside court, Ms Magnisalis said she would never be silenced again – and accused SA Police of protecting Thomson rather than her.
“From 2013 I tried to seek justice, instead met with flawed responses … repeated cries for help dismissed by SA Police (who) failed to act accordingly (and) betrayed me and the community,” she said.
“(They) neglected their duties, defended their own … a discernible pattern of internal bias where serving officers were prioritised over pursuit of the truth and my safety.
“The structure doesn’t just fail victims, it enables abusers like a cult (that) values allegiance above ethics … an internal investigation is required into the boys club.
“When abusers wear a badge, who holds them accountable?”
Thomson, 42, now of Queensland, pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault, one count of assault and one count of aggravated assault causing harm.
His attacks upon Ms Magnisalis, across various SA suburbs between April 2013 and February 2018, included physical, emotional, psychological and even vulgar, scatological abuse.
He engaged in that vile conduct while promoting himself, on YouTube, as an advocate against “entrenched toxic masculinity” and “unintentional tokenism and pride attached to resilience”.
In sentencing, Judge Allen stressed Thomson could be punished only for the offences to which he pleaded guilty, which carried a maximum four-year term.
He said it was an “unfortunate irony” that Thomson had carried the sort of violence perpetrated by his own father into the rest of his life, often while fuelled by cocaine.
However, he ruled Thomson’s genuine and demonstrated – rather than “aspirational” – rehabilitation, by way of counselling and programs, proved him a low risk of further offending.
He jailed Thomson for 27 months, with a 12-month non-parole period.
Outside court, Ms Magnisalis said SA Police culture turned officers into “bystanders” for their peers’ poor conduct, making them “too ashamed” to speak out.
“When people abuse power it is misconduct and exploitation … pure negligence will always be part of my trauma,” she said.
“This was not toxic masculinity … it was manipulative, calculated, premeditated violence by someone once seen as a pillar of the community.”
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