Angelo Jerome Purcell punished for vigilante family revenge saga

After a family member barged into a Mackay house and threw boiling water on another, four men got their revenge in a vigilante home invasion. Now, the final assailant has been sentenced.

Angelo Purcell was sentenced for his role in an attack. Photo: Zoe Devenport

A man involved in brutal revenge attacks between members of his family has been punished for shocking vigilante-style violence.

Angelo Jerome Purcell, 27, was one of four men who beat up uncles Desmond Burns, 38, and Mark Burns, 44, in their mother’s house on November 13, 2021.

The assault came after the Burns’ threw boiling water on a Purcell nephew in his own home for allegedly having Desmond’s phone.

Angelo Purcell faced Mackay Magistrates Court on January 12, pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said the “violent assault” was committed while he was still on parole for drug offences.

He had spent his 26th birthday in Mackay’s Supreme Court after being caught with meth in March, 2021.

“You participated with others in punching and kicking him (dragging) him down the hallway,” Ms Hartigan said.

“It went on for some period of time.

“While there were multiple punches and kicks by the four of you, (luckily) his injuries are quite limited.”

Nigel Purcell, 36, Alandros Purcell, 34, and stepfather Wayne Emmerson, 47, as well as the Burns all faced Mackay District Court in October 2022.

The Purcell brothers and Emmerson each pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm for the attack, and the Burns’ to burglary and assault.

The Burns’ were jailed, Desmond’s parole release date set for July 31, 2023, and the others for September 30, 2022.

Nigel Purcell, Alandros Purcell and Wayne Emmerson were sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years.

Ms Hartigan said even though he faced a different court on a different date, Angelo Purcell should have the same punishment.

“Parity dictates (your sentence) should be the same as your co-accused,” Ms Hartigan said.

“Keeping you in the community is not preferable, but in my view it is an appropriate penalty.

“There’s nothing different about them and you.

“All of you were there with the same purpose.”

Purcell received 18 months, wholly suspended for two years, with a conviction recorded.