Bradley McDonald: Nowra man appeals jail sentence after drug deal turned to ‘serious’ robbery

A South Coast man jailed for robbing a drug buyer’s father of nearly $5000 cash has been denied early release, after a bid to quash his sentence was rejected.

A man has appealed his jail sentence after a drug deal escalated into a violent robbery. Picture: iStock

A South Coast man jailed for robbing a drug buyer’s father of nearly $5000 cash has been denied early release, with a judge ruling the case was “too serious” to justify leniency.

Bradley McDonald, 45, was sentenced to two years prison in Nowra Local Court in February, after a 2023 drug deal escalated into a violent and threatening robbery.

He returned to court, via video link, on Thursday to appeal the sentence before Judge Christopher O’Brien.

McDonald earlier pleaded guilty to using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, stealing from a dwelling, and stalking and intimidation.

According to agreed facts, McDonald met a man in the Nowra region in 2023 to take part in drug activities.

Bradley McDonald unsuccessfully appealed his sentence in Nowra District Court. Picture: John Appleyard

The man transferred money for drugs, then asked McDonald for a lift home. On the way, McDonald demanded more money and pulled a taser on him.

The victim, described as “terrified,” said his father had cash at home after selling an item.

McDonald forced him to direct him to the house, then instructed him to distract his father while he went inside and stole $4800 cash.

Before fleeing, McDonald issued a chilling warning: “If you tell the police, I’ll kill you”.

He was later arrested, refused bail, and eventually sentenced.

The victim has not been charged with any offences.

At Thursday’s hearing, McDonald’s lawyer Anthony Stewart apologised to the court on his client’s behalf.

“Yes, well, it was very serious,” Judge O’Brien said.

“And I am sure the Crown will let the family know of this apology.”

Mr Stewart told the court McDonald endured a harsh upbringing, but Judge O’Brien said the robbery was an extreme act of violence.

He also noted McDonald was already serving a community correction order at the time for an unrelated fraud offence.

“The sentencing assessment report isn’t great,” he said.

“[McDonald] does not seem to show much remorse.”

While the judge trimmed the total sentence to 18 months, he refused to convert it into an intensive correction order despite pleas to do so by Mr Stewart. An intensive corrections order is the equivalent of a jail sentence served in the community under strict conditions.

“The offending is simply too serious,” Judge O’Brien said.

McDonald remains in custody and will be eligible for release on February 27, 2026.

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