Lochlan Scott Kalemba jailed for horrific abuse, threats against ex-partner in Salisbury road rage

A man whose tirade of abuse against his ex-partner exploded into to shocking violence and threats on a major Adelaide highway has been exposed in court.

A thug who told his toddler they would “run mummy over” and forced his family’s car into oncoming traffic during a terrifying rampage on a major highway in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has been jailed.

Lochlan Scott Kalemba, 30, appeared in the District Court last month for sentencing, where Judge Anthony Allen said his offending was “utterly unacceptable” and risked the safety of his ex-partner and child and the public.

“Your 13-month-old (child) was in the back of the vehicle at the time of the offending and your ex-partner could do nothing to protect her child from your crimes,” Judge Allen said.

“Plainly your behaviour was utterly unacceptable, extremely dangerous, and it is fortunate that the victims and members of the public were not seriously injured as a result of your offending.”

Kalemba pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, aggravated create likelihood of harm and aggravated threaten to cause harm.

On November 29, 2023, Kalemba was driving his toddler and ex-partner home along the Salisbury Hwy before descending into a “screaming” argument and “episode of abuse”.

The 30-year-old stopped in the middle of the road, punching at the driver’s window before taking off again and “driving erratically” before pulling over.

Kalemba got out, kicked the car door and attempted to pull the victim from the passenger’s seat while squeezing her face.

The court heard she climbed into the driver’s seat, after being headbutt, and drove off after Kalemba got back in the car.

Kalemba then pulled at the wheel, forcing the car into oncoming traffic – as close as a car length away.

His ex-partner regained control and avoided a crash, before pulling over again on Whites Rd.

His Honour said the victim left the car after Kalemba began punching the windscreen and yelling, and pulled his toddler from the back seat on to his lap in the driver’s seat.

“You said ‘let’s run mummy over’, then drove the car away from the victim before performing a U-turn and driving back towards her,” Judge Allen said.

The court heard Kalemba refused to give up the child, and as his ex-partner attempted to contact police he forced her to the ground.

The toddler was given to their mother after they began crying.

Kalemba then returned to the car, and accelerated along a footpath towards his victim while she was holding their child, slamming on the brakes and stopping just metres from them.

During the offending, Kalemba suffered a cut to his hand, and “flicked” toward his victim and child, covering them in blood.

His Honour said Kalemba had expressed he was “ashamed” of his actions, which had placed his victims “at risk of serious, if not fatal injury”. He said the offending came after “emotional, financial and physical domestic abuse perpetrated by you against the victim”.

Judge Allen sentenced Kalemba to two years and seven months jail with a one-year, six-month non-parole period.

The sentence was backdated to his arrest in December 2023.