Glen Osmond man Todd James Dillon Johnson to stand trial for alleged cleaver wielding threats, assaults

A man who allegedly threatened to kill another man with a cleaver before a six-hour siege in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs will stand trial.

A man allegedly threatened to kill another man with a cleaver and destroyed a phone and computer during a home invasion before holding police at bay for six hours during a siege, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, Todd James Dillon Johnson, 47, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to formally enter pleas after he was arrested following a siege in Glen Osmond last September.

Mr Johnson, of Glen Osmond, responded to Magistrate Brian Nitschke “not guilty Your Honour” after being read each charge.

Police at the scene in the aftermath of the siege in one of Adelaide’s most affluent suburbs as part of an investigation into a house break-in. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

He will now stand trial for one count of aggravated threatening to endanger life, aggravated assault that causes harm with a weapon, assault, aggravated serious criminal trespass and damaging property.

The court heard Mr Johnson allegedly damaged a mobile phone, printer, and computer during the siege, and wielded a cleaver as he threatened the life of a man during an Upper Sturt incident in September last year.

“On that 19th September 2024, without lawful excuse, threatened to kill or endanger the life of another person intending to arouse fear the threat would be, or likely to be carried out, or at least being reckless to whether that fear was aroused,” Mr Nitschke said.

Police vans and detectives set up on Bagot St during the six hour siege. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

During his first court appearance Mr Johnson’s counsel, Casey Isaacs, told the court his client was experiencing a “psychotic episode” at the time of the alleged offending.

Police were called to a house in Upper Sturt on September 19, 2024, after a man reported another man known to him had broken into his house, threatened him and damaged electronics before fleeing the scene.

No one was injured in the confrontation.

Following further investigation, police descended on a house in Elinor Tce at Glen Osmond about 2pm.

The Glen Osmond home was the subject to shots in an unrelated incident on February 06, 2025. Picture: RoyVPhotography

When officers approached the door, the man refused to come outside and locked the doors.

Amid fears the man had weapons, heavily armed STAR Group officers and negotiators were called in to help end the siege.

Mr Johnson was arrested after 8pm when STAR Group officers gained entry to the house through the garage and tasered him.

The home was also shot at earlier this year in an unrelated incident.

The 47-year-old was remanded on bail to appear in the District Court in May.

Originally published as Glen Osmond man Todd James Dillon Johnson to stand trial for alleged cleaver wielding threats, assaults