Ryan Macdonald in court for strangling a woman

A Bundaberg father choked a woman with both hands, leaving her with a sore and bruised neck, chest and ribs, because he wanted his phone back.

Ryan MacDonald (shown here in 2017) pleaded guilty to a charge of strangulation in a domestic setting in Bundaberg District Court on Wednesday.

An argument over a mobile phone escalated to a labourer strangling a woman, a Bundaberg Court heard.

Ryan Macdonald pleaded guilty to strangulation in a domestic setting in Bundaberg District Court on Wednesday, July 19.

The court heard the incident took place when he was living in Mackay with the woman.

Crown prosecutor Jodie Crane told the court Macdonald became “agitated” when the woman asked him for $20 to wash her car, and an argument ensued between the pair, resulting in her asking him to leave.

She drove off in her car while MacDonald packed his bags, but returned a short time afterwards due to running low on petrol, the court heard.

When she returned home Macdonald drove his own car towards her car, blocking it against a car park fence.

The incident took place when Macdonald was living in Mackay with the woman.

He then got out of his car and opened the woman’s car door while shouting “bring my phone I know you’ve got it”.

The court heard Macdonald tried to grab the woman’s phone, which she was holding in her hand.

A struggle ensued, through which Macdonald strangled the woman using both hands for about 30 seconds which caused her pain and interrupted her breathing, the court heard.

He stopped strangling her when she dropped her phone, after which he picked it up and drove off.

The court heard the woman was taken to Mackay Hospital by ambulance and made a complaint to police the next day.

Injuries photographed by police showed bruising on her neck and tenderness on her chest and ribs.

Macdonald declined to be interviewed when arrested by police in Bundaberg three months later.

Judge Brad Farr SC told Macdonald he had “behaved extraordinarily badly” and he should be “ashamed” of his actions.

Macdonald’s defence barrister, Wesley Seewald, told the court his client often worked on the family farm in Bundaberg, and has most recently worked as a labourer on construction sites.

Macdonald was a father of two boys with whom he hoped to reconnect after being released from custody.

Mr Seewald said his client had told him he was “simply trying to get his phone” when the argument with his partner ensued, and he was remorseful for his actions.

In sentencing, Judge Brad Farr SC said Macdonald had “behaved extraordinarily badly” and he “should be ashamed” of his actions.

Macdonald was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with immediate release on parole for time served in pre-sentence custody.