Tobias Russell Lightning avoids jail for assaulting four women on Gawler to Adelaide train

The man who assaulted four women who were travelling on an Adelaide Metro train into the city has learnt his fate in court.

A man who said he was “claustrophobic” on an Adelaide Metro train when he assaulted four female passengers – knocking the beanie off of one and spitting in another’s face – has avoided jail and publicly apologised to his victims.

Tobias Russell Lightning cried in the dock of the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday morning as he learned he’d be given a suspended sentence for his violent tirade on an Gawler line Adelaide Metro train in May 2024.

Lightning, 49, pleaded guilty to three counts of basic assault, one count of disorderly behaviour and one count of travelling on public transport without paying a fare.

On May 19 last year, Lightning was captured on CCTV acting erratically on a train that was pulling into the Adelaide Railway Station when he “berated” and shot spittle at the first passenger.

Tobias Lightning apologising to his victims outside court. Picture: Supplied

He was given a suspended sentence. Picture: Sean Fewster

“She was approached by the defendant who verbally berated her,” the police prosecutor told the court.

“While he was doing this, there was constantly spittle landing on her right cheek. He walked away and she alighted the train. She sought police immediately.

“The second victim, on the same date, felt a blow to the back of her head as the defendant walked beside her. The blow caused her beanie to fall off her head.

“He continued walking down the train. The third victim, on the same train, was waiting to get off the train when he pushed past her, striking her right side causing pain.

“She provided her version of events to police, but says she is now afraid to travel on public transport.

“The fourth victim, on the same train, was also waiting to alight when the accused pushed past her, striking her left side and causing pain to a pre-existing injury.

“She continued to feel pain for some time following the incident.

The women reported his behaviour to police when they got off the train. Picture: Dean Martin

Tobias Lightning apologising to his victims outside court. Picture: Supplied

“Police observed the accused running through the turnstiles towards the riverbank. He was detained by police, and they viewed CCTV. He was shouting in a disorderly manner at people on the train.”

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement lawyer Leonard Nagel, for Lightning, said his client had been feeling “claustrophobic” on the train, and had heard a passenger say a homophobic slur to him.

“Mr Lightning’s instructions with respect to his recollection of the offending is very poor in light of the mental health crisis he was experiencing,” Mr Nagel said.

“He recalls being on the train, he recalls some conduct, he recalls feelings of claustrophobia and increased agitation.

“The conduct as outlined on CCTV is admitted, and Mr Lightning makes no submissions with respect to explaining or excusing his actions.”

Taking into account the two hours he had spent in custody following his arrest, Magistrate John Clover sentenced Lightning to six weeks in prison, but suspended it upon him entering into a 12 month, $500 bond to be of good behaviour.

Lightning cried as he was sentenced, and told Mr Clover he was sorry to the victims.

Outside court, he told media he wasn’t well when he attacked the women.

“Yes, I am sorry. I apologise for my mental health conditions. That was the cause of me causing the violence and I didn’t really know what I was doing,” Lightning said.

“I’m still getting medicated and I haven’t found the right medication for it.

“I can’t really remember what I did.”

Originally published as Tobias Russell Lightning avoids jail for assaulting four women on Gawler to Adelaide train