Toowoomba painter Campbell Jonathon Zupp sentenced in Toowoomba District Court for violent assault on ex-partner

A court heard a terrified woman was forced to barricade herself in a room with her cat after her partner attacked her, but the enraged tradesman managed to smash through the door.

A young Toowoomba man walked free from court after he subjected his then partner to shocking acts of physical violence.

With the support of his mother, Campbell Jonathon Zupp fronted Toowoomba District Court on June 22 and pleaded guilty to common assault, wilful damage, and obstructing police.

The court was told on an August night in 2022, the 21-year-old man was having a smoke with the woman out the front of her unit when he became enraged about her ex-lover and threatened to kill the man.

A drunk and disgruntled Zupp refused to get up and go inside, so the woman left to make him some food.

However once Zupp was inside he refused to go to bed and asked for a drink.

Toowoomba tradesman Campbell Jonathon Zupp walks free from Toowoomba District Court on June 22, after he plead guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend twice. Picture: News Regional Media Picture: News Regional Media

Crown prosecutor Abby Kong said when the woman refused to get Zupp a drink, he grabbed her by the throat, however she broke free by using her palm to hit his nose.

Zupp then punched her in the face.

Despite Zupp apologising, the situation continued to escalate after he grabbed the woman’s phone.

Ms Kong said the woman ran to a room and barricaded the door with a bookcase, before hiding in a cupboard with her cat.

Zupp then smashed his way into the room, damaging the door frame and putting a hole in the door.

Ms Kong said the woman then retrieved her phone and called Zupp’s cousin for help – he happened to be with Zupp’s mother at the time.

The court was told Zupp pushed the victim onto the bed, told her his family was going to bash her, and asked her, “why are you like this?”

Campbell Jonathon Zupp fronted Toowoomba District Court on June 22 and pleaded guilty to common assault, wilful damage, and obstructing police. Picture: Peta McEachern

Ms Kong said when Zupp’s family arrived they called the police after he locked himself in a cupboard and refused to come out, before falling asleep inside.

When police arrived, the court was told Zupp was abusive to officers, hurled derogatory terms, tried to kick them, and had to be restrained during transport to the station.

The court heard the former butcher’s behaviour was out of character and since the assault, he was drinking less and stopped using cocaine.

Judge David Kent KC told Zupp some people in the community should stay away from alcohol, and he suspected Zupp was one of them.

“Take up knitting,” he suggested.

Judge Kent KC said Zupp’s behaviour was bizarre and violent, but noted he had a good chance of rehabilitation given he had no criminal history, was young, remorseful, and had entered an early plea.

The painter was sentenced to a two year probation order.

Before being sentenced in court, Zupp agreed to pay the woman back for the damages he caused to her rental unit, and Judge Kent KC formalised the offer, ordering him to pay $700 in restitution.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba painter Campbell Jonathon Zupp sentenced in Toowoomba District Court for violent assault on ex-partner