Cary David McDonald and Luke Darren Arthur sentenced for South Burnett home invasion

Two Brisbane men have been jailed for a home invasion after they terrorised the occupants with a pistol and knuckle dusters, with a judge saying they had not shown a ‘shred’ of remorse.

Cary David McDonald, 36, and Luke Darren Arthur, 30, pleaded not guilty to seven charges related to a violent home invasion in South Nanango.

Two Brisbane men who were found guilty of a violent home invasion in the South Burnett have been sentenced after a six-day trial, which a judge described as “absolutely terrifying” for the victims.

Cary David McDonald, 36, and Luke Darren Arthur, 30, were found guilty of seven charges at Kingaroy District Court on Tuesday including two counts of burglary while armed and in company, two counts of common assault, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company, and one count of armed robbery in company.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren summarised the events of the night and said on June 14, 2019, about 9pm in South Nanango, a group of men approached a property in a white Nissan Patrol armed with an object resembling a handgun, a metal bar and knuckle dusters.

Cary David McDonald, 36, and Luke Darren Arthur, 30, were found guilty of seven charges at Kingaroy District Court relating to a Nanango home invasion.

Although the prosecution claimed there were five men involved, Judge Rosengren said it was more likely there were only four.

Two other men, Liam Osbourne and Ashley McDonald, had already pleaded guilty to the crimes and were previously convicted.

The men approached a caravan on the property, knocked on the door, and dragged the occupant outside.

Another victim, who came out of the main house to see what was happening, was also grabbed.

“It was his evidence that he was pushed to the ground and told not to move, or he would be shot or have his head stomped,” Judge Rosengren said.

Luke Darren Arthur, 30, pleaded not guilty to charges related to a violent home invasion.

As they took the victim from the caravan into the main house, they struck him in the head with brass knuckle dusters, causing a laceration, and hit his leg with a metal bar.

A female victim who opened the door of the house was also struck in the leg with the bar.

Another woman, who came to investigate the commotion, was confronted by the men and told to hand over her phone.

“After she refused, one of you pulled out a pistol, pointed it at her face, and demanded the phone,” Judge Rosengren said.

During the trial, multiple witnesses including neighbours, police officers, and the victims themselves, testified.

Judge Rosengren said one of the female victims felt “violated, intimidated, and powerless,” while the man who was dragged out of the caravan was “in fear for his life.”

“He felt bad that he could not protect the other occupants,” she said.

Cary David McDonald, 36, pleaded not guilty to charges related to a violent home invasion.

Before delivering the sentences, Judge Rosengren remarked that neither of the men had shown any remorse.

“Neither of you has demonstrated a shred of it,” she said.

McDonald was given a four-year head sentence, to serve 22 months, with his parole date set for May 19, 2026.

Arthur received the same sentence, with his parole date set for May 27, 2026.

Their partners, who had attended every day of the trial, were inconsolable as they said their final goodbyes to the men before they were taken into custody.