Daryl Tyrell McLennan sentenced in Bowen Court for serious assault

A man was seen walking down a Nth Qld street talking to himself before he entered a man’s yard and threatened to cut his throat in a terrifying attack.

Daryl Tyrell McLennan appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court on 17 July charged with serious assault of a person over 60.

A man has avoided spending more time in prison after putting a large cane knife to a man’s throat before threatening to chop his legs off.

Daryl Tyrell McLennan appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court where it was heard he went to the home of a man in his 60s with the weapon in August 2024.

The court heard the 25-year-old was seen walking down a Collinsville street talking to himself before entering the yard and making threats towards another man at the property.

Police say McLennan then turned to the victim and said “you want to go you old c--t, you think you’re better than me? I wanna cut your throat, I’ll chop all you c--ts up” while removing his jacket which concealed the large cane knife.

He then put the knife to the man’s throat while saying “I’ll cut your throat” before backing up and saying “ah well I’ll cut your legs off then” and swinging the knife towards the man’s legs.

Magistrate Anna Smith said McLennan was very fortunate the man was able to lift his legs out of the way.

No physical injuries were sustained by the victim.

ATSILS lawyer Daniel Rigden, for McLennan, told the court despite having a five page criminal history which involved periods of imprisonment, his client did not have a history of violence.

Bowen Magistrates Court heard the man made a variety of threats during the assault.

He said the former removalist had lost his job because of his bail conditions that included he not go to Collinsville where the attack occurred.

He added McLennan had a “difficult upbringing”, becoming involved with a bad peer group after his dad went to prison when he was in his early teens.

He became addicted to drugs and spent much of his youth in and out of juvenile detention, said Mr Rigden adding his client “was intoxicated at the time of this offence”.

“He is remorseful and ashamed.”

Mr Rigden said since this incident McLennan had begun rehabilitating himself and was now living in Cannonvale.

Mr McLennan pleaded guilty to serious assault of a person over 60.

Ms Smith said the offending was “serious” and while McLennan was not charged with making the threats, the situation could have escalated.

She also noted McLennan was on a suspended jail term at the time of the incident.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with immediate parole release to help with his ongoing rehabilitation. A conviction was recorded.