Shellharbour woman basher Toby Molloy jailed for attacks on partner

Those close to him described him as a “gentle and kind person”, however, a magistrate found Toby Molloy to be a woman basher who couldn’t control his “extreme anger”.

Toby Molloy was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court this month.

Those close to him described him as a “gentle and kind person”, however, a magistrate found a Shellharbour man to be a woman basher.

Toby Molloy was sentenced to jail in Wollongong Local Court earlier this month after being found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Molloy, 31, had also pleaded guilty to possessing an unauthorised pistol, not storing a firearm safely, damaging property and contravening an apprehended domestic violence order.

Magistrate Michael Love, when reading through the offending, described it as a “serious example of domestic violence”.

“I have found on two occasions you have punched your partner in the face,” Mr Love said.

“On the second occasion there was bruising to her eye. It was not self defence.”

The court heard Toby Molloy had “extreme anger” issues.

Molloy had claimed he was acting in self defence, but Mr Love “rejected the complainant could manoeuvre” the former rugby union player.

Mr Love said one of the assaults involved Molloy “pinning” the woman against a wall while the damage offence was a result of punching a hole in the wall due to his “extreme anger”.

The court heard the pistol was a gel-blaster purchased from Paddy’s Market in Sydney, however, Mr Love said he was “concerned by the effort to make it look more realistic”, noting it had been painted black.

Molloy’s lawyer Anthony Stewart told the court the offending happened during a traumatic period where the offender was grieving the death of his stepfather.

Magistrate Michael Love found Toby Molloy had “pinned” the woman against a wall.

Mr Stewart asked the magistrate to consider an intensive correction order with police prosecutor Amelia Wall stating the jail threshold had been “clearly crossed”.

Before delivering his sentence, Mr Love read multiple letters of support for Molloy which described him as “gentle and kind”, “a good man” and “loving”.

The magistrate commented these assessments did not match Molloy’s conduct and he raised concerns about a letter from another former partner which “attacked” the victim.

“Domestic violence is prevalent in society unfortunately and whenever we have domestic violence matters before the court we hear all the positives about the offender,” Mr Love said.

“But there needs to be a clear message sent those who cause violence in the home can expect tough penalties to be imposed.”

Mr Love handed down a 14-month sentence with a non-parole period of six months meaning with time already served he will be released on Friday.

The offender was also placed on a 12-month community correction order and will be required to undergo drug and alcohol counselling.

Molloy pleaded not guilty to a further count of contravening and ADVO with the matter listed for hearing in March.

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