Brendan Ronald Frank jailed for assault on former flatmate

A Sunshine Coast man who repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped on a former flatmate’s head in a sickening assault over money also spat towards a Sunshine Plaza security guard.

A Sunshine Coast man who repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped on a former flatmate’s head in a sickening assault over money also spat towards a Sunshine Plaza security guard.

Brendan Ronald Frank, of Kuluin in Maroochydore, was sentenced to nine months’ prison on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to four charges including assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.

Police prosecutor Erica Zammit told the court Frank was immediately aggressive and threatening towards the male victim who had emerged from his property when he heard the 31-year-old yelling outside on June 22, 2021.

“ … (Frank) then swings a fist that connects with the complainant’s head and continues to throw the complainant to the ground repeatedly punching, kicking and stomping his head and back area,” Ms Zammit said.

During the attack the man laid on the ground in the foetal position while Frank yelled “you’re a dog and I’m going to kill you”.

Ms Zammit said Frank had broken into the victim’s car and stolen $600 before he attacked the man.

The court heard the victim suffered bruising, tenderness and a suspected broken rib.

The court heard Frank also assaulted a security guard in the Sunshine Plaza carpark on July 8, 2021.

Ms Zammit said the 31-year-old was immediately verbally aggressive towards the victim and his co-worker and threatened to spit on the man.

She said he pushed the security guard and spat towards him.

“The spittle landed on the ground in front of him,” she said.

The court heard Frank had a two-page criminal history that included an assault occasioning bodily harm charge from February, 2021.

The court heard Frank pulled his victim from the car and punched him in the face after a dispute over a power bill.

Frank was handed a probation order for the offence and breached the order during his recent attacks.

Ms Zammit said Frank’s attack on his former flatmate was strikingly similar to the assault in February 2021.

She suggested a 12 to 15 month prison sentence with a parole release date after Frank served one third.

Brendan Ronald Frank will spend two months in prison. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

Solicitor Anna Smith said Frank’s violent offending began after his father died of a sudden heart attack in November, 2020.

Ms Smith said Frank never had an opportunity to settle grievances with his father and suffered emotionally.

She said the Kuluin man was left an inheritance that attracted acquaintances requesting money.

“He didn't manage it very well (and) didn't manage his emotions very well,” she said.

Ms Smith said Frank’s former flatmate was taking too long to pay back $12,000 Frank had lent to him.

The court heard after the assault the victim told police the $600 Frank had taken from his car was part of his repayment.

Ms Smith said while Frank didn’t know the money he stole was destined for him, the victim wasn’t out of pocket and suffered minor injuries.

She said the prosecution’s sentence submission was too harsh and suggested a seven-month suspended sentence.

“We are worlds apart,” she said.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said he was disappointed with the Probation and Parole’s Office’s report that stated Frank should not be re-sentenced after breaching his probation order with a “strikingly similar” offence.

Mr McLaughlin agreed the victim’s injuries were “not terribly serious” but said the attack was premeditated.

The nine-month sentence will be suspended for 18 months after Frank spends two months in prison.