Mount Gambier: Warrant issued for alleged stalker Kym Joseph Lavia

A man who allegedly stalked a woman for five days has failed to appear in a Mount Gambier court after initially saying he was “running late”.

A warrant for the arrest of an alleged stalker has been issued after he failed to attend his court appearance in Mount Gambier.

Kym Joseph Lavia, 32, was due to appear in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Thursday morning facing charges of aggravated stalking and one count of possess equipment to use with controlled drug.

The court’s clerk said Mr Lavia had “notified by him that he's going to be running late”.

The man’s lawyer Jarrad Sim then asked to withdraw from the case.

“I haven’t received any instructions from Mr Lavia since the last occasion,” he said.

A police prosecutor asked if a warrant for the defendant could be reissued.

“There was a warrant that was issued on one of his matters,” she said.

“He was arrested on a warrant previously and bail was granted with a guarantor — the guarantor then made an application to revoke the guarantee.”

Kym Joseph Lavia walking out of the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court after labelling stalking allegations against him as "lies". Picture Arj Ganesan

In February Mr Lavia fronted court for allegedly stalking a woman over five days between March and April last year.

At the time Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos warned the defendant to get a lawyer as he faced a possible jail term.

“Last time we spoke you were in custody and you were going to seek legal advice,” Ms Kossiavelos said.

“It’s not a case of coming backwards and forwards to court without (a lawyer)”.

Mr Lavia said the allegations were “based on lies”.