Matthew Lawrence Tansley sentenced to jail for domestic violence assault
A Northern Rivers man who broke into his former partner’s home and attacked her with a machete has learned his fate.
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A Northern Rivers man who broke into his former partner’s home, assaulted her and threatened her with a machete has learned his fate in court.
Matthew Lawrence Tansley, 37, of Lismore, faced Judge Paul Conlon in Lismore District Court on Wednesday.
He had not entered a plea since being arrested on February 11, 2022.
The court heard Tansley had accepted a guilty plea offer from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Tansley accepted a guilty plea of enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence; three counts of stalking and intimidation intending fear of harm (domestic violence); possess unauthorised firearm; and act with intent to influence witness.
Other related charges that Judge Conlon had “taken into consideration” on what is known as a Form 1 were not keep firearm safely and possess ammunition without holding licence.
On January 9, 2022 Tansley entered a Casino home on Diary St armed with a machete and assaulted a 38-year-old woman who he had previously been in a relationship with.
He then fled, avoiding police.
Court documents revealed Tansley allegedly contacted the victim and asked her to tell police she had made up the complaint about the machete attack in January the same year.
Police gained entry to a unit where he had been living on January 26 uncovering a single shot .22 pistol and ammunition.
On February 11, 2022 police found Tansley hiding in a cupboard in a motel room on Hare Street, Casino.
When he tried to push past officers he was arrested and remanded in custody.
Judge Paul Conlon sentenced Tansley to an aggregate term of imprisonment of four years backdated to his initial arrest on February 11, 2022.
He must serve a non-parole period of 2 years, 6 months.
Tansley will be eligible for parole on August 10, 2024.
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