Man posts alleged ‘menacing’ threats to Stan Grant and family to Facebook, Twitter

A 41-year-old man who allegedly made online threats against former Q+A host Stan Grant identifies as a “right-wing Christian conservative”.

Michael Davis has been charged with allegedly threatening and harassing Stan Grant. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

A man accused of making threats to former ABC presenter Stan Grant and his family has described himself as a “right-wing Christian conservative”, posting his alleged threats via video on social media.

Michael Steven Davis faced Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday on four charges, including one of using a carriage service to threaten serious harm and three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Mr Grant.

The alleged threats came after Mr Grant stepped down from hosting Q+A due to online abuse and racism.

Court documents reveal the threat was made via Facebook video, while the menace and harass charges were posted on Twitter.

Michael Steven Davis is charged with making threats towards ABC journalist Stan Grant. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Davis arriving at court with his lawyer Peter Mitchell. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“This is a message for my man Stan Grant, the f**kwit, mate if I see you in the street after you call my people scum, I’m going to beat the living f**king shit out of you,” Mr Davis says in a Facebook video posted to an account listed in court documents.

“You piece of f**king shit, you trying to f**king segregate the country … I’ll f**k you up, you c**t.”

In another video posted to Twitter, Mr Davis allegedly calls Mr Grant a “racist piece of f**king s**t”.

Mr Grant reported the online threats to police in Sydney just before midday on Tuesday May 23.

Stan Grant stepped down from his position at the ABC due to online harassment.

Officers investigated the threats before arresting 41-year-old Mr Davis at Fairfield Heights about 6.40pm the following day.

Mr Davis also live-streamed the moment he was confronted by police prior to his arrest, with the video still posted to his account as of Wednesday morning.

The 41-year-old describes himself on Facebook as a “right-wing Christian conservative”.

“I identify as a man from 1990 where your pronouns don’t exist,” his Facebook profile says.

Mr Davis’ lawyer, Peter Mitchell, told the court on Wednesday his client was very “nervous” about fronting the court as he “suffers from anxiety”.

A police prosecutor told the court the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is taking over the matter, which will be transferred to the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney’s CBD.

In one of his videos, Mr Davis allegedly calls Mr Grant a “racist piece of s**t”.. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The court documents detailed Mr Davis’ profiles, alleging he used Facebook to post a video to threaten Mr Grant, “stating he would cause serious harm by assaulting the victim”.

He is also accused of using Twitter to “menace, harass and offend the victim”, his wife and children.

The court heard an associated AVO matter was heard on Wednesday at the Downing Centre, but it was adjourned.

Mr Davis’ matter will return to court in August, but he does not have to appear if legally represented.

He did not make a comment to media outside court. His bail continues.

Mr Grant, a 59-year-old Wiradjuri man, used an ABC opinion piece published online to announce he was stepping down as Q+A host. Picture: ABC

Mr Grant, a 59-year-old Wiradjuri man, used an ABC opinion piece published online to announce he was stepping down as Q+A host after 10 months in the role.

He said the decision came after ongoing “relentless racial filth”, blasting the ABC as an “institutional failure” over management allegedly failing to offer him public support.

Mr Grant hosted his final episode of the current affairs panel show last Monday, during which he said “I am down right now, but I will get back up”.

Mr Grant’s decision prompted ABC staff across the country to walk out on Monday in a show of solidarity.

Originally published as Man posts alleged ‘menacing’ threats to Stan Grant and family to Facebook, Twitter