21-year-old Bundaberg man learns fate after violent tirade against ex-girlfriend

A young Queensland man has learned his fate after being charged with vindictive and violent abuse against his former partner. MORE.

Cyrus Moretto appeared before Bundaberg District Court charged with a number of domestic violence offences, Monday, April 7, 2025.

A 21-year-old Bundaberg man has been exposed as a vindictive abuser and stalker after subjecting his former partner to violent and coercive control over the course of their relationship which began in 2023.

Cyrus Moretto, who was 19 when he began his abusive tirade against his partner, once held a knife against her throat and strangled her until she passed out.

On August 5, 2024 a violent altercation transpired between the pair, where Moretto slapped his former partner twice.

The 21-year-old went to his then partners home the following day with the intention to “reconcile”, but pushed his way through the door when she answered.

The court heard Moretto threatened the young woman with a knife, and held it to her throat as she pleaded with him to drop it.

When the Bundaberg man eventually dropped the weapon, his former partner tried to console him, which angered him more.

The 21-year-old then grabbed “her by the throat until she passed out” Crown Prosecutor, Ryan Minuti said.

Mr Minuti described the incident to be the most serious assault as part of “sporadic but persistent” abuse.

He went on to describe a string of other violent and coercive behaviours which began before the official start of the relationship.

On one occasion, an argument between the pair escalated when Moretto took the young woman’s phone.

Cyrus Moretto was sentenced the three years’ jail for his DV offending.

When she tried to get it back, Moretto punched her arms and legs with force, and she sustained significant bruising.

On another occasion Moretto placed his hands around her neck and squeezed for 10 seconds; he also poured water on her and punched her in the ribs and face, the court heard.

Judge John Allen said the stalking offence was over a lengthy period of time and involved sending “obscene and vindictive” messages while making physical threats to his former partner’s safety.

Moretto, who was supported in court by his mother and two brothers, pleaded guilty to eight counts of common assault, one count of unlawful stalking with intimidation, harassment or abuse, one count of strangulation, one count of wilful damage, and one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Judge Allen said a victim impact statement addressed to the court was “generous”, as his former partner said she seemed more concerned for Moretto’s future than the pain the offending had caused her.

“She at least must believe you have the opportunity to change,” he said.

The court heard the 21-year-old suffered abuse at the hands of his father, along with his siblings and mother, which Judge Allen said was a worrying element to consider.

He said he hoped Moretto would commit to the challenging task of ending the “cycle of abuse” which was modelled to him as a child.

Moretto was sentenced to three years in prison, with 365 days declared as pre-sentence custody. His parole date was set to Monday, April 7.

Originally published as 21-year-old Bundaberg man learns fate after violent tirade against ex-girlfriend