Thomas Patrick Enright pleads guilty to horror boiling water assault on partner, axe threats

A convicted sexual offender and ice addict threw a kettle full of boiling water at a woman and later tried to smash his way into her home with an axe.

Thomas Patrick Enright pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm, threatening violence by words or conduct and wilful damage.

A convicted sexual offender threw a kettle full of boiling water at his long-term partner, scalding her back and causing a large scar, while the couple were arguing over a cup of coffee.

Then, 12 months later and after the couple had broken up, he showed up at her West Mackay home and tried to break through her front door with an axe as she screamed inside, terrified.

These details were revealed in Mackay Magistrates Court where Thomas Patrick Enright, who has a nine page criminal history that included entries for child sexual offending, appeared.

His most recent offences were against his former partner of five years.

In November 2024 she went to police and revealed his horror attack which had been captured on CCTV the year before.

It was October 2023 about 6am and the pair had been in the kitchen of her home arguing over a cup of coffee when she asked Enright to leave.

He told her “I’ll f***ing throw you out of your house” before he grabbed a kettle off the bench and threw it at her, drenching her back in boiling water.

The court heard Enright ran at her with his fist raised but he slipped on the spilt water.

Thomas Patrick Enright pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on January 31 to stealing, breaching bail and breaching police conditions. Picture: Facebook

It also heard the woman was in agony and taken to hospital and the attack left her with a large scar.

In November 2024 the woman was at home when her ice-addicted ex turned up demanding to be let in.

Prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao said when the woman refused, Enright went to his car and retrieved an axe with a metre-long hand and began swinging it at her door multiple times.
The axe blade damaged her door and lock, but he was not able to gain entry, so he left.

The court heard neighbours heard her screaming and she told police she was “extremely fearful”.

Police found Enright driving his car nearby with the axe on the front passenger seat.

He told officers he felt like his ex was “f***ing with him” but admitted to hitting the door two to three times with the axe, the court heard.

Now 41, he pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm, threatening violence by words or conduct and wilful damage.

Enright had already spent 87 days in custody.

Harvey Legal solicitor Laura Santin said her client had been in a five-year relationship with the woman and accepted it was now over.

“He was drug affected at the time of this offending,” Ms Santin said.

She told the court Enright had been working out at a mine, but his contract ended earlier than expected and with more time on his hands, he had fallen back into meth abuse.

“He has been sober since he’s been in custody,” Ms Santin said.

Ms Santin said it was accepted the offending was serious but added that regarding the assault her client did not deliberately pour the boiling water directly onto the woman.

Magistrate Anna Smith said she accepted the incident with the kettle was more reactive with her injuries a probable consequence than if he was just standing there and pouring boiling water on her.

Enright was jailed for two years with parole release on June 15, 2025 and convictions were recorded.