David Matthew Hassall jailed after terrifying Denham St Rockhampton assault

A woman was walking home when she was grabbed from behind and assaulted by the man in the early hours of the morning.

David Matthew Hassall pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to common assault and deprivation of liberty.

A man has been jailed after a “terrifying” drunken attack on a woman he didn’t know, while she was walking along a city street at night.

David Matthew Hassall, 32, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Friday to one count each of common assault and deprivation of liberty.

The court heard the victim was walking home along Denham St, between Murray and West streets, at 3.42am on August 6 last year.

While she was walking, Hassall grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth.

With his hand still over her mouth Hassall picked the woman up and carried her a few steps, before falling over face first with the victim on her back.

He continued to hold his hand over her mouth before the victim felt her pants being pulled to the side.

The victim then attempted to grab her phone to film the incident, but Hassall kicked it away.

She then pretended to pass out before she was rolled onto her back.

The woman then scratched Hassall across the face and grabbed his genitalia before screaming.

Hassall then released the woman and ran off.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox told the court the incident itself wasn’t caught on CCTV, but Hassell could be seen on CCTV following the victim near where it happened.

The footage also recorded the victim’s scream and Hassall running away.

Mr Fox said when Hassall was arrested he denied being the person involved.

The court heard Hassall had a history of violent offences and the incident happened while he was on parole.

Hassall’s lawyer Ashley Reynolds told the court her client was “quite horrified” when he was taken through the footage from the assault.

She said at the time of the incident Hassall was intoxicated and had no recollection of what happened.

Ms Reynolds said his client was previously caught up in the drug scene but had been clean for two months before going into custody in November.

Magistrate Cameron Press took into account Hassall’s plea of guilty and that it came at a timely opportunity.

He said Hassall was lucky he wasn’t facing a more serious charge.

“It would have been terribly terrifying for the victim,” he said.

“It’s probably fortunate for you sir that she did fight back … but in all it must have been traumatising and terrifying for this person.”

Hassall was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with a parole eligibility date of June 17.

Eighty-one days of presentence custody was declared as time already served.