David Matthews: Shellharbour man sentenced to jail for horror domestic violence abuse towards pregnant partner

A brave mother who lost her stillborn daughter at the hands of the man she loved has forgone her anonymity to out the evil domestic violence abuser who controlled her through a tumultuous relationship.

David Matthews was sentenced in Wollongong District Court on Monday.

A brave mother who lost her stillborn daughter at the hands of the man she loved has forfeited her anonymity to out the evil domestic violence abuser who manipulated and controlled her throughout a tumultuous relationship.

Tianna Humphreys was bashed, raped and humiliated by her paranoid partner David Richard Matthews who was sentenced in Wollongong District Court on Monday to up to 12 years behind bars.

Matthews, 31, learnt his fate following a trial spanning more than two weeks where a jury found him guilty of nine charges including three counts of rape, intentionally choking without consent and perverting the course of justice.

The Shellharbour arborist maintained throughout the trial and on sentencing the crimes never occurred.

The court heard about the shocking abuse throughout the five-year relationship which saw Matthews display “erratic and violent” behaviour, often accusing Ms Humphreys of infidelity.

David Matthews maintains the offences never happened.

In one traumatic 24-hour period in June, 2021, Matthews confronted his 38-week pregnant partner on two occasions.

The first incident saw Matthews grab Ms Humphreys’ throat before dragging her by the hair.

The second occurred in the evening with Matthews waking the victim up before placing her in a headlock and bending her over the bed when she felt what was described as a “pop”.

Five days later Ms Humphreys was admitted into Wollongong Hospital where her daughter was stillborn.

The court heard on the night before the stillborn child’s funeral, Matthews raped Ms Humphreys three times.

At the funeral, the court heard, Matthews had an outburst where he accused Ms Humphreys of killing the baby.

The court heard Matthews called Ms Humphreys about 900 times from custody by organising with his brother to have three-way calls before she purchased a burner phone which she registered in a family friend’s name.

During these recordings the man professed his love to her and promised to marry her on the proviso she change her evidence in order for him to secure bail and ultimately have the charges dropped.

“Just tell them it’s from f---ing rough sex,” Matthews said on the call.

“I need to know you’re on my side, I am not going to marry you for no reason.”

In court, Ms Humphreys held back tears as she told Matthews “I loved you”, had “faith in you” and “chose you every single time”.

“Although I chose to forgive you, I also chose to never forget your choices,” she said.

“How you chose not to take responsibility or show remorse. How you chose not to choose your children. You chose you.

“I choose my children. I choose our safety. I choose our freedom. I chose me.”

Tianna Humphreys (left) with her best friend Caitlin Weir outside Wollongong District Court on Monday. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Judge Andrew Haesler handed down a maximum sentence of 12 years in jail with a non-parole period of nine years.

“Nothing justified or excused what occurred,” the judge said.

“His actions cannot and will not be excused by drug use or any other potential psychological condition... Why he did what he did remains a mystery.”

Outside court, Ms Humphreys said she was “absolutely terrified” when delivering her impact statement, but she “couldn’t have anyone else read it”.

“I don’t have my daughter anymore,” she said when asked about the sentence.

“I’ve got to live with this forever. He doesn’t. He doesn’t care, (he’s) shown nothing.

“I have to now reshape my entire life because he’s just destroyed it. He was what I thought was going to be my picture perfect family. It’s not that, it could never be that.”

With time already served, Matthews could be eligible for parole in July 2030, with the full term to expire in July, 2033.

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