Randwick model Reece McDonald pleads guilty to affray, assault in company

A male model from Sydney’s east, who’s walked international runways for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, became embroiled in an early morning brawl with strangers after leaving a Sydney nightclub.

Main: Reece McDonald walks the runway for Dolce and Gabbana, inset, Reece McDonald leaves Downing Centre Court.

A Sydney model who has graced global runways for luxury designers such as Louis Vuitton, Off-White and Balmain was involved in a street brawl with strangers while leaving an eastern Sydney nightclub.

Randwick’s Reece McDonald, who is represented by Milan based management group Boom the Agency, faced Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company.

He made an application to vary his bail conditions to travel overseas for work.

Police allege McDonald and his two clubbing companions Kwesi Derkyi and Eddy Mugisha crossed paths with another group of patrons outside Potts Point nightspot Room 22 on November 30.

Reece McDonald has walked for runways including Dolce & Gabbana. Picture: Instagram

Just after 2.30am, while the trio discussed getting home, Derkyi allegedly confronted a random man and demanded to know what his problem was, to which the man replied “leave us alone”.

It is then alleged Derkyi “attempted to wrap his left arm around the man’s shoulders”, prompting him to push Derkyi away.

In response police allege Derkyi “charged at the man” before “punching him with a closed fist multiple times in the face”, causing him to bleed.

Police say McDonald and Mugisha then jumped in, as the melee spilt out toward Bayswater Rd before the victim fell to the ground.

McDonald unsuccessfully attempted to kick the victim and then the victim’s friend, however according to police “the kicks did not connect with anyone”.

Further punches and kicks were thrown between the parties, with McDonald attempting to leave with his friends before being pushed over.

McDonald will appear at Sydney fashion week.

Another attempted altercation was quickly broken up by onlookers, before police arrived and arrested McDonald, Derkyi and Mugisha, who were subsequently charged.

Derkyi has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company and affray, while Mugisha entered guilty pleas to the same charges.

McDonald was successful in the application to vary his bail in order to travel overseas for a three month modelling job.

A copy of his itinerary for Sydney fashion week — where he is booked to appear in May — was tendered to the court, along with a letter from Boom Models.

McDonald and his friends had been at Room 22 in Potts Point. Picture Instagram

Chief Magistrate Michael Allen said while there was “some” risk of McDonald failing to appear, he was satisfied of the “arrangements” for him to work in “a few countries overseas” before returning to work in Australia.

While overseas McDonald will engage in sessions with a clinical psychologist via video link, the court heard.

The court heard McDonald would likely apply to deal with the matters on mental health grounds when he is sentenced. He will return to court on April 2.

Mugisha was convicted on December 10 and sentenced to a nine month community corrections order, and fined $880.

Derkyi will next face court on February 4.