Former SAPOL detective Matthew Alan Thomson pleads guilty to aggravated assault
He’s posted YouTube videos about his time working as a “specialist detective” in the SA Police force. Now this father and former cop has come clean on his history of violence.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three years ago, former SA Police detective Matthew Alan Thomson told his YouTube audience he had realised “just how deeply entrenched in a culture of toxic masculinity” he’d become.
On Friday, standing in front of a full court gallery, he pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting his wife over five years.
In the South Australian District Court on Friday morning, Thomson – who had previously denied the crimes – made a last-minute change to his plea.
The 41-year-old from Valley View pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault, one count of assault and one count of aggravated assault causing harm against his former wife.
Court records show the assaults took place over a number of years between April 2013 and February 2018 and occurred in West Beach, Flinders Park, West Lakes and Kidman Park.
Speaking in a YouTube video titled “Introduction to Matt Thomson” – posted to the platform nearly four years after his last charged offence – the former cop spoke about how he’d become “entrenched in toxic masculinity”, but that it was fatherhood the led him to that realisation.
“I’m a former specialist detective and undercover operative. I worked in the specialist crimes squads, where performance and outcomes were heavily reliant on my ability to understand, engage and influence people.
“I’m the father of three daughters – three young ladies who need real connection – which means I am also a TikTok dad, a fingernail painting dad and, at times, a tea party dad.
“More than anything else, I’m an emotionally invested dad. Becoming a father 12 years ago helped me realise just how deeply entrenched in a culture of toxic masculinity I’d become, where conflict and trauma were masked by unintentional tokenism and the pride attached to resilience.
“So, in 2015 with an eye to the future generations, I left the police, and transitioned towards a place of greater positive impacts.”
After he replied “guilty” when asked how he would plea to each count of assault, supporters and family of the victim applauded in the courtroom.
Thomson, who made a swift exit from the court building as soon as his hearing was over, wore headphones and declined to answer all but one question.
“Do you regret it?” he was asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
The former detective will return to court in April for submissions before sentencing at a later date.
More Coverage
Originally published as Former SAPOL detective Matthew Alan Thomson pleads guilty to aggravated assault
‘Rat poo everywhere’: Vietnam vets’ aged care squalor slammed
A national advocacy group has highlighted the shocking conditions SA Vietnam veterans with PTSD are living in, blaming a federal government agency for missing red flags.
Premier intervenes in $25m SA Water dispute
Elderly residents were at risk of being turfed out of their home amid a bitter stoush – but the Premier and local Liberal MP say they’re determined to fix it.