William Broadbent, 38, sentenced after aggravated criminal trespass, aggravated assault near Naracoorte

A shearer went to find a man he thought had abused his aunty – but instead bashed the man’s father and son in a terrifying home invasion.

A New Zealand-born Naracoorte shearer who was found guilty of brutally bashing an elderly man and a 17-year-old boy in a revenge-fuelled confrontation in 2021 will spend up to the next two years on home detention, a court has heard.

William Joseph Broadbent, 38, appeared in the District Court on Monday in front of Judge Rauf Soulio for sentencing after being found guilty of aggravated criminal trespass, two counts aggravated assault causing harm and a count of aggravated assault.

During sentencing, Judge Soulio acknowledged the “serious” and “violent” nature of the offending, saying everyone had “an entitlement to feel safe in their own houses”.

“Your offending was a fundamental violation of their right to that safety,” he said.

William Joseph Broadbent, from Naracoorte. Picture: Facebook.

“You are a man who has not spent a significant amount of time – or any time – in custody prior to your current incarceration, and you’ve now been in custody for a period of over eight months.

The court heard the attack stemmed from Broadbent’s belief a man named Nathan Steel had been abusive toward a woman he regarded as his aunt while they were in a relationship together.

A court previously heard Broadbent arrived at the home on the outskirts of Naracoorte to confront Mr Steel over claims he tried to run his aunty off the road days earlier.

There was no suggestion the abuse claims were true.

Judge Soulio said Broadbent went to the home where he believed Mr Steel was living to “remonstrate” with him.

A prosecutor told the court Broadbent was met by Mr Steele’s parents and son and made “loud and threatening calls in aggravated voices” before “barging inside” the house demanding to know where Mr Steel was.

William Joseph Broadbent, from Naracoorte. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Broadbent punched Mr Steel’s son in the face, then grabbed Mr Steel’s father by the throat and threw him into the stove, breaking the glass.

The next day, Broadbent handed himself into police and, during his interview – which was played to a court – Broadbent recalled telling Mr Steel’s son: “You’re Nathan’s son, so you’re going to cop a beating”, before hitting him, leaving him with a swollen cheek and split lip.

On Monday, Judge Soulio acknowledged the lasting impact the assault had on the two victims.

“Mr Steel senior said he suffered headaches and ringing in his ear as a result of the assault, and has lost the desire to mix with family and friends,” he said.

Broadbent was sentenced to two years, three months and 16 days imprisonment with a non-parole period of nine months and 16 days – to be served on home detention.

When reminded that home detention prohibited the consumption of alcohol, Broadbent told Judge Soulio: “I don’t really drink anyway”.

Broadbent made no reaction when his sentence was passed and he was led from the dock.

Originally published as William Broadbent, 38, sentenced after aggravated criminal trespass, aggravated assault near Naracoorte