Darcy Sexcess choked partner at McDonald’s, Rockhampton court hears

A man choked his partner for up to 15 seconds, only stopping when his mother called, a court has heard.

The McDonalds restaurant in Gracemere.

A judge has described a young man’s choking of his girlfriend while parked at McDonalds restaurant as “completely irrational and unwarranted”.

Darcy Sexcess, 22, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on June 27 for the domestic violence choking offence.

He pleaded guilty to the crime.

Crown prosecutor Monique Bros-Wilshire said Sexcess and the victim had been in a relationship for six months at the time of the choking incident on January 17, 2024, in the Gracemere McDonald’s carpark.

She said Sexcess was yelling and the victim tried to calm him down, but Sexcess told her to ‘shut up’.

Ms Bros-Wilshire said the victim apologised to Sexcess and told him she was just trying to help him.

“He’s reached over and choked her against the passenger seat headrest, and she was unable to breathe for about 10 to 15 seconds… despite her attempts, she was unable to pull his hand away,” she said.

“It’s when he receives a call from his mother that he releases the grip on her throat.”

Ms Bros-Wilshire said the victim felt light-headed from the incident.

Judge Jeff Clarke said Sexcess’ behaviour was “completely irrational and unwarranted”.

“You can’t treat other people like this, especially people who are inferior to you,” he said.

Judge Clarke noted Sexcess was a “big, strong” man and emphasised that people had been killed when choked.

Ms Bros-Wilshire said Sexcess had been sentenced in Bundaberg Magistrates Court two days earlier for possessing drugs and utensils for which he received a six-month probation order.

Ms Bros-Wilshire said he committed further offences after this, including being busted possessing marijuana plants and breaches of domestic violence orders.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said Sexcess was one of six children whose father had been incarcerated, and his parents separated when he was a teenager, and the family had changed their surname.

He said Sexcess, who attended Mount Morgan High School until Year 10 despite not being able to read and write, was now single and aspires to work in mechanics.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client started using marijuana before progressing to methamphetamines two years ago.