Alessandro Giovanni Cavuoto found guilty of murder of housemate Todd Bradmore

A man who set his housemate on fire during a power outage at their home has been found guilty, while a distraught father says his son’s murder was an “unimaginable” tragedy.

Evidence pictures taken at the house where Cavuoto set Mr Bradmore on fire. Picture: Supreme Court

A man who doused his housemate with petrol before lighting him on fire during a power outage in Woodville West has been found guilty of murder by a Supreme Court Justice.

Alessandro Giovanni Cavuoto, 36, had been standing trial in front of Justice Adam Kimber since April last year charged with murder and two counts of aggravated creating likelihood of serious harm. On Tuesday, Justice Kimber found Cavuoto not guilty of the latter two charges.

Mr Cavuoto had pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to allegations he was holding a lighter when he poured fuel on Todd Bradmore, 31, just after 3.30am on March 17, 2021 before fleeing to New South Wales.

Mr Bradmore later succumbed to his burns, from the top of his knees to his head, in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on March 19, 2021.

Alessandro Cavuoto. Picture: Facebook

Todd Bradmore died after being set on fire by Cavuoto. Picture: Facebook

Outside court, Mr Bradmore’s father Ian – a dual SANFL premiership player for Port Adelaide – said the thought of his son being burned alive was “unimaginable”.

“He (Cavuoto) is nothing short of a mongrel,” Mr Bradmore said. “He deserves to be where he is.

“You just can’t imagine what Todd went through – it’s such a bad way to go.

“Todd was very kind, he was very giving – he’d give his heart to anybody.”

In her opening address, Prosecutor Lisa Dunlop, submitted Cavuoto had told his other housemate he had set Mr Bradmore on fire and didn’t know why.

She submitted Mr Bradmore, with some help from Mr Cavuoto, was involved in fraudulent activity which had caused tension between the two, as well as the victim’s relationship with his girlfriend who was also residing at the house.

“In the days leading up to the fire there was some conflict (between the two) about some car bits that had been ordered and improperly delivered,” Ms Dunlop said.

“There was some conflict around Mr Cavuoto believing Mr Bradmore wanted him to move out of this house.”

Ms Dunlop further alleged that, after setting Mr Bradmore on fire, Cavuoto got into his car and drove to a nearby petrol station where he talked to his other housemate, before fleeing the state to New South Wales and getting into a car chase which resulted in an accident – and his arrest.

Burnt clothes found at the property. Picture: Supreme Court

Dr Patrick Michael Coghlan, a senior medical practitioner in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s burns unit, told the court Mr Bradmore was brought to hospital with burns to 80 per cent of his body – and that he could only be recognised by the pattern of his tattoos.

“In terms of the extent of facial burns, when I saw him, were so significant that he was unrecognisable,” Dr Coghlan said.

Kevin Brian Fitzgerald, who had been working for the Metropolitan Fire Service for almost 40 years, said he found Mr Bradmore with severe injuries when he attended the Woodville West home.

Mr Fitzgerald also said that, during a search of the house, he discovered blood “all over the shower”.

In his verdict, Justice Kimber ruled Cavuoto was not guilty of creating likelihood of serious harm to two people who were present at the home during the incident – Mr Bradmore’s partner, who was also living in the house, and her friend who was visiting from interstate.

Cavuoto was remanded in custody and will return to court for sentencing submissions in August – as he awaits a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

Originally published as Alessandro Giovanni Cavuoto found guilty of murder of housemate Todd Bradmore