Real estate agent David James Renfrey pleads guilty to stalking former partner

A former agent refused to let his ex “live her life”, continuing to stalk her even after their relationship ended over his behaviour and police intervened.

A former real estate agent and father-of-two called his stalking precautions ‘ridiculous’ as he continuously messaged his former partner.

David James Renfrey, 34, pleaded guilty to stalking in the Christies Beach Magistrate Court on Thursday.

The court heard Renfrey sent his former partner multiple messages via email as well as phone calls between July 28, 2020 and July 7, 2021 after the couple had broken up.

“The relationship ended in March as a result of stalking type behaviour from the defendant,” Police prosecutor Nicola Buckle told the court.

“She (the victim) was shopping at Reynella when she received phone calls from the defendant from a blocked number and told him not to contact him again.”

Renfrey however, persisted by emailing the victim for her birthday despite her request to no longer contact her.

David James Renfrey. Picture: Facebook

In November 2020, Renfrey again made a number of phone calls to the victim from a private number.

“She received various emails and phone calls … basically monthly,” prosecutor Buckle said.

“On July 16th she received information from her friend who said the defendant had been contacting her about the victim.”

The court heard when he was spoken to by police Renfrey was “quite uncooperative” during his interview which he called “ridiculous” before admitting he had been contacting her.

“He told police that the victim was sending him mixed signals and messages,” Prosecutor Buckle said.

“He said the victim had gone out of way to make his life difficult.”

Peter Hill, defence counsel for Renfrey, said his client made no threats or suggested anything violent in the messages to the victim.

“We do concede this is a serious matter, he was given a warning by police and unfortunately he did impede that warning and did continue to contact the victim.”

In his sentencing remarks, Magistrate Rodney Oates highlighted to Renfrey how upsetting this would have been for the victim.

“You’re former partner should have just been able to live her life,” Magistrate Oates said.

“Fortunately this has now seemed to stopped.”

Renfrey was sentenced to six months and nine days of imprisonment, suspended for 18 months on a good behaviour bond.