Jeffrey David Bickford pleads guilty to assaulting woman after Beerwah burglary

A former Sunshine Coast footy player broke through a woman’s window and struck her multiple times during a terrifying home invasion.

Jeffrey David Bickford faced Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A former footy player and father will continue to serve time in jail following a disturbing burglary at a woman’s home where he viciously assaulted her after demanding cigarettes.

Jeffrey David Bickford arrived at the woman’s Beerwah home in the early hours of June 10, 2023 when he delivered the frightening attack, leaving the woman with visible injuries.

His disturbing break in was retold in Maroochydore District Court this week after his plea of guilty to burglary and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Erica Zammit told the court the 45-year-old man called the woman nine times and sent texts about 5am in the morning where he said he was coming around.

Ms Zammit said Bickford arrived at her home about 6am, knocked on her door and shouted for cigarettes. She told him to leave.

The court heard the woman’s housemate called police after he tried to enter the home before he smashed her bedroom window. Glass scattered on the floor.

Bickford reached through the window and grabbed her arm which prompted her to fight him off.

Bickford pleaded guilty. Picture: Facebook

The Crown prosecutor said it was here Bickford struck the woman in the face three times before a friend, who he arrived with, pulled him away and they left.

Ms Zammit said the attack left the woman with bruising to her elbows and scratches to her arms. He was arrested on October 14, 2023 and bailed.

This offence breached his parole and he was taken into custody on December 23, 2023, where he spent more than 13 months on remand in custody until his sentence this week.

Defence barrister Rachel Hew said the 45-year-old came from a prejudicial upbringing but had a history of playing rugby league in his earlier years which he wanted to continue after his time in jail.

Ms Hew said he hoped to move to Cooroy and pledged the attack was the “last time” he would ever strike a woman. He was also receiving mental health counselling.

Judge Glen Cash said material before the court revealed Bickford was “possessing and controlling” and came from a history of drug abuse, which he grappled with up until his arrest.

Bickford was jailed for two years, which was cumulative on another jail term from the Brisbane Supreme Court for drug offences in 2023. He will be eligible for parole on June 10 however his previous jail sentence won’t expire until February 2026.

Originally published as Jeffrey David Bickford pleads guilty to assaulting woman after Beerwah burglary