A drug-induced psychosis allegedly led a young man to believe he was a 63-year-old Russian woman on the run from American gangsters, prompting him to choke a young girl at a Perth park.
Kyle Torrance Duncalf was at Des Penman Reserve in Nollamara on August 21, 2020 when he chased one girl then attacked her nine-year-old sister as their horrified mother screamed for him to stop.
During the terrifying ordeal, the girl’s mother thought her daughter was going to die, the West Australian Supreme Court heard.
Duncalf, who was aged 19 at the time, had consumed meth and allegedly believed he was a Russian woman from New York who was on the run from underworld figures.
He had intended to use the girl as a “shield” against the imaginary gangsters, who wanted to do him harm because he was a “snitch”, the court was told.
Although the attack happened quickly, it had left a lasting impact on the girl and her family, Justice Bruno Fiannaca noted.
He described the attack as terrifying and shocking.
“What happened was a parent’s worst nightmare,” Justice Fiannaca said.
Duncalf had initially been set to stand trial charged with attempted murder, but instead his guilty plea was accepted for the lesser offence of intending to cause harm by doing an act that was likely to endanger the life, health or safety of a person.
He also pleaded guilty to deprivation of liberty.
Justice Fiannaca described it as an unprovoked and random attack on a stranger.
Duncalf, who had been carrying a shoe lace with him, first chased the girl’s sister on a scooter, prompting the mother to yell at him to stay away.
He then turned his attention to the other girl, who was on some gym equipment when he grabbed her.
“She didn’t see you until you had started choking her,” Justice Fiannaca said.
He said the girl had no time to process what was happening.
Duncalf then ignored the mother’s pleas for him to let go.
He allegedly said in a Russian accent: “She needs to die.”
The choke hold lasted about 10 seconds until bystanders intervened and police were called, the court was told.
Duncalf continued to shout abuse at the children and mother, with Justice Fiannaca describing his words as illogical and delusional.
Referring to the victim impact statements, Justice Fiannaca said it had left a devastating and enduring impact on the family.
He noted the children now refused to go to parks, and the choked girl also had difficulty sleeping and expressing herself.
She also feared anyone unknown to her, he added.
Duncalf appeared emotional as the judge went over the victim impact statements, rubbing his forehead and shaking his leg.
Justice Fiannaca also referred to Duncalf’s personal circumstances, including his history of drug addiction.
Duncalf was waiting for a rehabilitation spot at a facility at the time of the crime, the court was told.
Justice Fiannaca accepted Duncalf had not been using illicit substances while in custody and was of prior good character.
“You do have good prospects of rehabilitation,” the judge said.
He also accepted Duncalf was genuinely remorseful for the damage he had done, noting he had written a letter to the court and the family.
Duncalf was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.
He will be eligible for parole after serving 19 months behind bars.
Justice Fiannaca noted Duncalf had been in custody since august 2020, so he had already served the “bulk” of his minimum term.
