Attorney-General Deb Frecklington seeks urgent brief on Brock Andrew McDonald case

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has ordered an urgent brief to consider her legal options after a man who randomly attacked an 18-year-old girl and wrapped a rope around her neck was released on parole.

Brock McDonald wrapped a rope around a teenager’s neck in a random attack.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has ordered an urgent brief to consider her legal options after a man who randomly attacked an 18-year-old girl and wrapped a rope around her neck was released on parole.

Brock Andrew McDonald, 44, pleaded guilty to charges of deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to the random attack on the teen who was walking home from a night out.

He was sentenced to two-and-half-years jail but released on parole considering 413 days already served. Convictions were recorded.

The District Court in Bundaberg was told McDonald parked his vehicle in an area with no street lights and approached the girl and wrapped a rope around her neck.

McDonald then forced the girl into the back of his white Toyota Corolla and pushed her face down.

The random attacked happened in Bundaberg’s Park St about 2.50am on October 21, 2023.

The girl escaped and hid in a bush before she called for help.

The court was told she was left with rope burns around her neck and abrasions to her right knee and thigh.

The victim’s mother said her daughter had been deeply affected by the attack, in a statement to the court.

“This was the exact moment Brock McDonald stole my daughter’s innocence,” she said.

The victim also provided a statement, sharing that she now struggles with relationships and experiences panic attacks whenever she sees white cars.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she had requested an urgent brief on the matter so she could consider her legal options.

“I can only imagine the terror this young woman felt at the time of the attack and the trauma she continues to face as she recovers,” Ms Frecklington said.

Judge David Kent said McDonald had a prior sexual assault charge in New South Wales for which he had been found guilty but not previously dealt with.

The court heard that McDonald has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

His lawyer said he was now living with his mother in Bundaberg while undergoing treatment, and had previously worked as a qualified barista.

Judge Kent described the incident as a random and “terrifying abduction”.