Mclofty Sunai, 32, ‘used his car as a weapon’ in a terrifying domestic violence attack in Weipa

Mclofty Sunai, 32, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for ramming his partner’s car into a power role in Weipa last year then punching her through the broken car window, knocking her unconscious a second time.

Mclofty Sunai, 32, was sentenced to jail over a crash that left three women injured when he rammed their car into a power pole at Weipa.

A man who rammed his partner’s car into a power pole in Weipa, punched her through the car window, then tried to slit his own throat after police arrived, has been sentenced to six years jail.

Mclofty Sunai, 32, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm – both aggravated by domestic violence, and driving under the influence of liquor.

Crown Prosecutor Matt Hancock said Sunai and his partner had been at a party with friends on the night of 27 May 2023 before the incident occurred.

Sunai went to leave the party, but saw that his tyres had been deflated, Mr Hancock said.

In anger, Sunai followed his partner and her two friends, 18 and 19, when they left the party, ramming the car three times over the course of 300 metres, with the final hit sending the car into a power pole on Andoom Road in Weipa, and injuring all three women inside.

After the crash, Sunai broke the car window and punched his partner in the head five times, causing her to lose consciousness a second time.

He said Sunai’s partner, 26 at the time, suffered traumatic brain injury and a broken upper arm, which required surgery in Townsville Hospital, where she was a patient for two weeks.

The 18-year-old was flown to Cairns for treatment of head and internal injuries and a broken finger; she was in hospital three days.

The third woman escaped the crash with cuts and bruises.

The car, which the woman bought for $9000, was ‘crushed and written off’, said Mr Hancock.

Defence barrister Rachelle Logan said Sunai and his partner had been going through a difficult time, struggling with work and living in different communities.

She said Sunai was exposed to domestic violence growing up, and had lost his own mother as a young man.

“His state of mind was so fraught (at the time) that he attempted to take his own life by cutting his own neck (at the scene) before he was tasered by the police,” said Ms Logan.

“He had several lacerations to his throat and was in hospital in a coma for two days.”

She said Sunai had good prospects of rehabilitation, had pursued further training while in prison, and had the support of a justice group.

Ms Logan said Sunai was deeply remorseful for what he had done, and wished to apologise in person in court, rather than through his lawyers, which he did.

Judge Dean Morzone KC said he must deter Sunai from similar behaviour, send a message of denunciation on behalf of the community, and allow for Sunai’s rehabilitation.

He said the attack had a devastating effect on the woman, who was unable to care for her child in the aftermath, being in hospital and rehabilitation.

She did not drive for some time and continues to suffer anxiety on the road, pulling over whenever someone drove up behind her, the court was told.

Judge Morzone said Sunai’s extreme act in cutting his neck could be seen as both remorse and recklessness.

“Apparently out of self-loathing, you cut your own throat … ultimately shifting attention away from those who needed it an onto yourself,” said Judge Morzone.

Judge Morzone said that he accepted Sunai had made genuine attempts to apologise, accept responsibility and rehabilitate himself, and set a parole date of 27 June 2025 after Sunai had served 35% of this sentence.

Originally published as Mclofty Sunai, 32, ‘used his car as a weapon’ in a terrifying domestic violence attack in Weipa