Todd Stephen Jenkins-Cuso jailed for strangulation, assault

A domestic violence offender who yelled “this is what you want, isn’t it?” as he attacked his girlfriend and put her in a “sleeper hold” appeared emotional as he was sentenced in court.

Todd Stephen Jenkins-Cuso faced Mackay District Court on August 10, 2023. Picture: Facebook

A man headbutted his girlfriend, knocking her to the ground before strangling her in a “sleeping hold” so she could not breathe.

The details of Todd Stephen Jenkins-Cuso’s violent assault on his now former partner were heard in Mackay District Court.

The victim had been visiting Jenkin-Cuso’s Cannonvale home on August 22, 2022 when they began arguing and she asked him to drive her home.

Crown prosecutor Victoria Adams said he then grabbed his girlfriend’s shoulders and said, “This is what you want, isn’t it? You just want me to bash you.”

Jenkin-Cuso headbutted her face and she fell on the ground.

She tried to crawl away, but he got on top of her, told her to “stay down” and then put her in a “sleeper hold” while he applied pressure around her neck until she “could not breathe”.

Ms Adams said the victim then attempted to leave when Jenkin-Cuso tried to launch a second attack.

“However, his roommate intervened,” Ms Adams said.

“The roommate called police who arrived shortly afterwards and the (victim) was taken to hospital.

Her injuries included a bruised and swollen eye, scratches on her shoulders, and redness to her neck.

The court heard Jenkin-Cuso was released without charge on August 24.

Then on September 14, police arrested Jenkins-Cuso and charged him with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation (domestic violence).

He pleaded guilty to both offences on Thursday via videolink from Maryborough Correctional Centre.

Barrister Scott McLennan tendered a written submission revealing his client was born in Adelaide and had been raised by his mum, not meeting his father, who had moved to Airlie Beach, until he was about 16 years old.

The court further heard Jenkins-Cuso, who has previously been ordered to pay $750 compensation to his elderly neighbour after clawing at his face until it bled, was diagnosed with PTSD after being a victim of a “serious home invasion” at 16.

Judge Michael Williamson said underlying Jenkins-Cuso’s “cowardly” attack on his girlfriend was an opioid addiction and methamphetamine use.

He said Jenkin-Cuso’s relevant criminal history, including domestic violence and other violent offending, was an aggravating feature, but he took the guilty pleas “as an expression of remorse”.

Jenkins-Cuso, who was visibly holding back tears and nodding as the facts were read out, was sentenced to 18 months jail with immediate release with his 330 days in presentence custody declared as time already served.

Convictions were recorded.