Lindsay Bassani jailed for slashing ex-wife’s neck in domestic violence attack

A bodybuilder slashed his ex-wife’s neck with knife as she made dinner, dragging her by the hair to the bed – and told her to “sit there like a good dog”, a court has heard.

A bodybuilder who kicked and slashed his former wife’s neck during a heated argument about infidelity – before stabbing himself in the stomach – has been jailed for almost five years.

Lindsay Raymond Bassani, 43, kicked and slashed Amy Prokopec’s neck while the couple were arguing about infidelity in the marriage at their Clare home on April 8, 2021.

Their two young children were in the bath.

In sentencing Supreme Court Justice Laura Stein said Bassani, who was then a steroid-taking bodybuilder, unleashed an attack which had a “very significant and devastating impact” on Ms Prokopec.

“The complainant suffers from flashbacks paying in her mind, reliving the events and her panic and she remains haunted,” she said.

Lindsay Bassani outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court in 2016. Pic. Greg Higgs

“She is constantly reminded of the events by the visible scar on her neck.”

The attack unfolded as Bassani, who had an affair, was accusing his wife of also cheating while she was preparing dinner.

“You were agitated and continually asking the complainant about the suspected affair … you approached the complainant and kicked her in the vagina,” Justice Stein said.

She said Bassani then allegedly dragged Ms Prokopec by the hair to the bedroom, pushed her on to the bed and told her to “sit there like a good dog”, before telling her the only way she could ever leave him was if he killed her.

Bassani disputed this version of events and had told the court his recollection differed but he accepted full responsibility.

He then grabbed a knife from the kitchen, grabbed Ms Prokopec and “waved the knife in front of her face and across her neck area”.

“You were holding the knife with the blade protruding from the bottom of your raised fist,” she said.

Amy Prokopec outside the Adelaide District Court after an earlier hearing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Bassani then brought the knife down, slashing the left side of Ms Prokopec’s neck before telling her it was ‘just a scratch”.

Ms Prokopec initially had 12 stitches, but developed complications that required further surgery.

The court previously heard he had intended to only scare Ms Prokopec and later sent a text message stating he had “no idea it was the sharp side” of the knife.

Justice Stein said domestic violence was “abhorrent” and a matter of “significant concern” for the community.

Bassani was originally charged with attempted murder over the attack but pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated recklessly causing serious harm.

He is a former head of the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy and previously served a 14-month home detention sentence for using Education Departments funds unlawfully.

After a 5 per cent discount for his guilty plea, Justice Stein jailed Bassani for four years, 10 months and 28 days with a non-parole period of three years.

Outside court, Ms Prokopec said the was “disgusted” with the jail term, which she said should have been longer.