Warrnambool man Paul McDonough sentenced over bashing death of his partner

The heartbroken family of a Warrnambool mum beaten to death by her partner say her young daughter continues to ask “why did mummy leave me?”

Bekkie-Rae Curren-Trinca’s killer could be free from jail in five years after bashing her to death in 2019. Picture: Facebook

The family of a young mum bashed to death say her killer, who could be free from jail in just five years, was given a “slap on the wrist” while they serve a life sentence.

Bekkie-Rae Curren-Trinca’s violent partner could be released as early as 2028 after he was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday for manslaughter.

Hours after he was released from prison in November 2019, Paul McDonough, 40, viciously beat his partner, 28, until her ribs cracked and her face was unrecognisable.

Paul McDonough could be free from prison in five years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his girlfriend. Picture: Facebook

McDonough became so enraged when she tried to escape him that he punched he bashed her at his Warrnambool home. Picture: Facebook

Demi Trinca told the Herald Sun that her sister’s young daughter, who is just six years old, continues to question where her mum is.

“We listen to her ask: ‘Why did mummy leave me? When is she coming back? Why can’t I go to heaven and say hi to mummy,” she said, fighting back tears.

Speaking outside court on Friday, she said the 8.5 year minimum jail term — which could see him released in five years with time already served — was “not what anybody had hoped for”.

“The past three years has been torture,” she said.

“It’s been a life sentence for us.”

Ms Curren-Trinca’s heartbroken family and friend’s choked back tears as Justice Amanda Fox recounted the savage attack.

Warrnambool mum Bekkie-Rae Curren-Trinca, 28, was beaten to death as she tried to leave her partner, Paul McDonough. Picture: Facebook

On November 26, McDonough had returned to his Warrnambool home from jail to find Ms Curren-Trinca with her bags packed.

Enraged, he chased her down the street before picking her up “like a rag doll” and throwing her back into his home.

After beating his girlfriend unconscious, McDonough showered her and placed her in his bed before walking to a nearby phone box to call for an ambulance.

Hours earlier Ms Curren-Trinca, who had been receiving support at a domestic violence shelter, had told a friend of her fear that “he would kill her one day”.

McDonough, who caused fractures to her face, hand and two ribs, was charged with murder when her life support was turned off on December 4.

Ms Curren-Trinca, 28 (left) with best friend Mira Westlake who burst into tears as McDonough’s sentence was read out. Picture: Facebook

He eventually pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

McDonough refused to look at Justice Fox or his victim’s family and friends in court on Friday, instead staring blankly at the walls and floor.

Justice Fox, who recognised domestic violence in Victoria is “prevalent and deeply shocking”, said she wished to set an example, sentencing the long-time offender to a maximum of 11 years and six months, with a non-parole period of eight years and six months.

But having already served almost three and a half years, McDonough – deemed by Justice Fox to have “quite poor” chances of rehabilitation and limited remorse – could be freed from prison in just over five years.

“That wasn’t much of an example to set,” Ms Trinca said.

“This is an epidemic of violence against women. It won’t go down if they get a slap on the wrist and that is what he got.”