Albany man jailed for two years after breaking into ex-partner’s home

Thirteen hours after a protective police order had expired, a 36-year-old Albany mother ran inside to make sure her front door was locked as she watched her ex-partner drive up to her home. The District Court of WA on Monday was told Steven Angelo Lionetti kicked in his victim’s front door as she and their 12-year-old son fled to the home backyard on April 13. “You can get a restraining order that lasts for two years. It’s not going to make a difference,” Lionetti told his victim while chasing her, according to District Court Judge Stephen Lemonis . He then shouted orders at their son telling him to “get back here right now or you’re going to cop it”. “The victim told your son to run and a neighbour took him...into their house for safety,” Judge Lemonis said before handing Lionetti a two-year prison sentence. “As the victim was on the phone to the Triple-0 operator, (Lionetti) snatched the phone out of her hand, smashed it against a post and a gate, which caused the screen to completely smash.” Lionetti then left the property. During the incident, a $1500 television set was destroyed by Lionetti, who pleaded guilty to aggravated home burglary and two counts of unlawful damage. His defence counsel Bruno Illari told the court Lionetti had carried out the burglary in an attempt to discipline his son. “Mr Lionetti has on his own admission, stated that it was a deliberate intended act of intimidation to show his de facto and son ‘who was the boss’,” State prosecutor David Davidson told the court. Judge Lemonis said a home burglary committed with intent to intimidate was more serious than one with the intent to steal. “I consider personal deterrence is heightened here, given the offending occurred shortly after the expiry of the three-day order and the comments you made during the incident that the victim obtaining a violence restraining order would make no difference,” Judge Lemonis said. “And also, that you smashed the victim’s phone, thus preventing her from seeking help. “I also consider general deterrence is important as the community must understand that forcibly entering a former partner’s home to confront them is not tolerated and is regarded as serious offending.” Lionetti was made eligible for parole.