Charge dismissed for man who threatened Stan Grant

There has been a major development for a man who threatened former ABC presenter Stan Grant in several expletive-laden online rants.

Michael Steven Davis threatened journalist Stan Grant and his family. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

A man who threatened former ABC presenter Stan Grant and his family in several foul-mouthed tirades online has had the charges against him dismissed.

Michael Steven Davis, 41, appeared in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to threaten serious harm.

The court was told the self-described “right-wing Christian conservative” shared four posts addressed to Mr Grant on social media on May 22 and 23.

In one of the videos, he promises to “beat the living s***” out of the author if he ever sees him on the street.

“I’m coming for you, you c**t … I’ll f**k you up,” the court was told Davis promised in one post.

Michael Steven Davis threatened journalist Stan Grant in four vile online posts. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Grant, a proud Wiradjuri man, stepped down as host of ABC’s Q+A in May, citing “relentless racial filth” and “institutional” failures within the national broadcaster.

Deputy chief magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis said Davis’ furious rants about the 59-year-old revealed an “unhealthy preoccupation with the complainant, his beliefs and his ideas”.

“He, of course, went a little further than what might otherwise have been robust debate and committed an offence,” he noted.

The court was told Davis was “drinking a substantial amount” before he posted the videos and text posts to Facebook and Twitter within the 24-hour period.

His lawyer argued the threats would not have caused Mr Grant “immediate fear” and noted he had not personally viewed them. It was the ABC who notified police about the posts.

“(Davis) is extremely remorseful for the distress he’s caused to the victim and his family,” he said.

“He is someone who has difficulties coping with the everyday challenges of life.”

Author and academic Stan Grant was the target of the verbal attacks.

Mr Tsavdaridis said Davis had previously been “entirely law abiding” and had an “unblemished record for all of his life”.

The magistrate dismissed the charge and imposed an apprehended violence order, which prohibits the 41-year-old from approaching, contacting or intimidating Mr Grant for two years.

Originally published as Charge dismissed for man who threatened Stan Grant