Toowoomba DV thug John Tejano Strano escapes jail time, conviction after being senteced for degrading assault

A Toowoomba man who ‘broke’ his former partner, committing a number of humiliating, degrading, and disturbing domestic violence acts, will not serve any jail time or have a conviction recorded.

Toowoomba DV offender John Tejano Strano, 19.

A young Darling Downs man who emotionally and physically abused a former partner has walked away from court without having to serve any jail time or have a conviction recorded.

John Tejano Strano fronted Toowoomba District Court on Wednesday, October 31, pleading guilty to a number of domestic violence charges including assault and dangerous conduct with a weapon.

He also pleaded guilty to two summary offences of possessing dangerous drugs and the unlawful possession of a weapon.

The court was told Strano was 18 at the time of the offending in 2023 and had no criminal history.

Toowoomba DV offender John Tejano Strano, 19, leaving the Toowoomba courthouse on October 31, 2024.

The 19-year-old’s former partner read her victim impact statement to the court which detailed the trauma caused at the hands of someone who supposedly loved her, but also the cost of standing up for herself.

“I’ve lost a lot due to what I’ve endured,” she said.

“I’ve lost mutual friends who can’t even associate with me any more and some simply can’t bear to hear my trauma.

“I’ve had some of my family members misunderstand the situation and my intent in coming forward and speaking the truth.”

When her mental health reached a low and she was admitted to the hospital because of “how broken” she was, she recalled Strano accusing her of “attention seeking”.

The domestic violence survivor said she spent months agonising over whether or not to speak out over the abuse.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said the acts of domestic violence, especially those involving weapons, were concerning and disturbing, and other act he committed were degrading.

Toowoomba DV offender John Tejano Strano, 19.

Two officers sat in the public gallery during Strano’s trial, one appearing to shake his head in disapproval, as Judge Dennis Lynch QC sentenced Strano to a six-month probation order with no conviction recorded.

Judge Lynch said the offending that did not result in physical injuries was not “particularly serious” and the man’s young age, remorse, and work history loomed large when considering his prospects of rehabilitation.

He said the domestic violence seemed to be born of Strano’s immaturity and amusement, and found he met the requirements for special circumstances where no time of actual imprisonment was required.

His mother supported him in court during the sentence, however his father remained outside during the proceedings.

Strano will front Toowoomba Magistrate’s Court at a later date after being charged with another offence.