Wife-Bashing SAPOL Thug Matthew Alan Thomson Goes to Jail – But Could Be Out in 12 Months

Disgraced former SAPOL detective Matthew Alan Thomson, the sick deviant who terrorized his ex-wife and daughter for years on end, has been jailed.

However, the judge gifted him a 12-month non-parole period, meaning he will probably be released next year. The period of abuse Thomson was charged with spanned from 2013-2018, meaning this POS will only serve 2.4 months for every year he physically assaulted his ex-wife.

Meanwhile, if you are not a cop and do something far less serious, you can expect to be jailed for longer.

Raina Cruise, who was harassed and physically accosted by belligerent SAPOL cop Anthea Beck over a useless face mask, got 2 years non-parole for a single incident of defending herself and pulling a chunk of hair from Beck. Cruise was not under arrest at the time, so should not have been manhandled by police, who really need to learn to keep their sleazy, corrupt hands to themselves.

Thomson, 42, was sentenced yesterday to two years and three months jail after previously pleading guilty to six counts of assault against his ex-wife between April 2013 and February 2018.

All but one offence occurred while Thomson was a member of South Australia Police.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Anthony Allen said he did not find good reason to suspend a term of imprisonment despite Thomson’s counsel previously submitting that he had made steps toward rehabilitation.

“The seriousness of your offending — noting the frequency, on occasions severity, and length of time of which the offending took place, and the need for general deterrence — means that good reason does not exist to suspend a sentence,” he said.

The court previously heard Thomson had been a victim of domestic violence in his youth, which Judge Allen referred to as an “unfortunate irony”.

“These character flaws have been inherited by you, this is a classic case of intergenerational domestic violence,” he said.

Outside court, Thomson’s ex-wife, Stella, said no sentence imposed could “match lifelong trauma”.

She also criticised the SAPOL “cult-like, boys club” mentality that turns a blind eye to domestic violence committed by cops and allowed Thomson to repeatedly get away with his abuse.

“I speak today for the women and children still living in fear, for those who were turned away and not believed, for those no longer here,” she said.

“My voice is my power and I’m using it to demand truth, justice and change.”

“I’m speaking out today because I refuse to carry the shame and guilt any longer.”

“I am a survivor of assaults, this is not toxic masculinity, this is not a toxic relationship — it is manipulation, calculated, pre-meditated violence by someone once seen as a pillar of our community.”

Stella called for an external review of SA Police’s management of domestic violence offences and that “comprehensive reforms are necessary”.

“I’m addressing this as an independent investigation into the systemic abuse of power is required,” she said.

“Officers are ill-equipped, ill-prepared and simply just not trained.”

“How many of us will die before they listen?”

Stella said her “repeated cries for help” were dismissed and she was “failed” by the force.

“Officers neglected their duties, defending their own — a discernible pattern of internal bias where serving officers were prioritised over the pursuit for the truth and my safety,” she said.

“The structure doesn’t just fail victims; it enables abuse like a cult.”

“It values allegiance above ethics, [the] lack of accountability raises serious concerns about the institution’s integrity and its members.”

Stella said she started seeking help from 2013 but was “instead met with flawed responses”.

“Pure negligence will always be a part of my trauma,” she said.

SA Police has been contacted for comment. In a predictable standard BS response, it said it had “robust” investigation processes that were “independently overseen”.

Thomson will be eligible for parole in June next year.

Prior to being exposed as a violent DV offender, Thomson was shamelessly marketing himself as a spokesperson against “toxic masculinity”. Last year, Peritia Press published his autobiography It’s Not All Butterflies and Rainbows: Inside the Culture of Toxic Masculinity Within the Police. The book appears to have been hastily removed from sale after Peritia realised their new author left a few key details out of his manuscript.