Leslie Purcell: Man sentenced for sexual assault in Wondai

A man has been sentenced for a terrifying attack on a woman in the South Burnett, with the stranger breaking into his victim’s unit and carrying out a sordid assault. Here’s what happened when he faced court:

A woman was woken in the middle of the night to a nightmare scenario, with a stranger sexually assaulting her while whispering “come on, girl”.

The horror attack in January 2021 is the stuff of nightmares, with the 43-year-old creeper forcing his way into a locked home and attacking a vulnerable woman while she slept.

Leslie Purcell was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars for the shocking crime.

The Kingaroy District Court heard Purcell was seen approaching residents of a Wondai unit complex and asking for a drink on January 8 last year.

He at one point knocked loudly on the door of the woman who would later become his victim, and asking to be let in.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said Purcell was a “complete stranger” to the victim.

At 1.30am the victim woke to find Purcell touching her genitalia and saying, “come on, girl”, the court was told.

Ms O’Rourke said the victim yelled and slapped Purcell across the face, causing him to flee the unit.

The woman noticed property including her phone had been stolen from her home and she chased after her attacker, who threw the phone back at her.

Money and a Samsung tablet were also taken.

Ms O’Rourke described the incident as “terrifying” and said while Purcell had not previously sexually assaulted anyone, he was no stranger to break and enters.

“His criminal history in my submission shows scant regard to people's homes,” she said.

Purcell pleaded guilty to sexual assault, burglary and stealing, after the matter was initially scheduled to go to trial.

His victim bravely sat and watch the sentence from the public gallery after having had to prepare herself for the ordeal of a trial.

Judge Gary Long SC noted the startling crime still had a significant impact on the victim, describing Purcell’s assault on her as “egregious”.

“It no doubt was a terrifying experience for her,” Judge Long said.

Purcell was sentenced to three and a half years’ jail, and with time already served will be eligible for parole on June 8 this year.