Plasterer Sean Whatnall pleads guilty to choking, assault of woman

A Sunshine Coast plasterer mimicked the noise a woman made after he tried to smother her with a pillow and strangle her in a horror drunken New Year’s Day attack.

Sean David Whatnall was jailed but received immediate parole release in Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

A plasterer has spent more than a year in custody after the cowardly New Year’s Day attack of a woman where he tried to smother her with a pillow.

Sean David Whatnall was released on parole on Monday following the brutal assault, where he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, unlawful stalking and choking in Maroochydore District Court.

Prosecutor Rebecca Zammit said the Buderim man spent 437 days in custody since his arrest for his brutal assault on a woman in the early hours of January 1, 2023.

The court was told the pair were arguing when the 42-year-old yelled at the victim before he grabbed a pillow and placed it over her head. Ms Zammit said Whatnall used both of his hands and pushed it down with force.

The victim was able to turn her head while she was lying down and grabbed Whatnall’s hair. It was here the Buderim man placed a hand on her neck with pressure, which prevented her from breathing.

Whatnall was sentenced in Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

She was able to free herself and slide off the bed where she hit her head.

Ms Zammit said Whatnall mimicked her being strangled when she then grabbed her phone and told Whatnall she was going to call the police.

Whatnall told the victim she wasn’t calling anyone and closed the door onto her arm, causing her wrist to be stuck.

She was able to leave the room however he pushed her into a mirror, which led to her breaking the glass.

He however received immediate parole. Picture: Facebook

Police were called and he was arrested where he spent three days on remand before he was granted bail.

The court heard Whatnall was remanded again several weeks later and went onto send 20 pages of letters to the victim indirectly through her relative while he was in prison.

Ms Zammit said the victim felt “unsafe” and “fearful” to leave her own home during this time, due to his “concerning” and “persistent” contact.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown said the Brisbane born father was supported by family and worked as a plasterer by trade, hoping to go into business with his brother after being released from jail.

Mr Ygoa-McKeown said Whatnall’s mother died at an early age and hoped to live near Gympie when he was released.

Judge Glen Cash said it was fortunate the injuries were not serious from his drunken attack, with an impact statement stating the “understandable anxiety” she suffered from Whatnall.

The Buderim man was jailed for three years with some of his time on remand used as time served. He was given a parole release date of Monday.