Gerard Henderson, 45, allegedly used associate to try contact terrified victim

A frightening predator allegedly used an associate to try and track down a victim just days after his release from prison, a court has heard.

Gerard Henderson has again appeared in a Geelong court on stalking charges.

A serial stalker allegedly used an associate to try and track down a victim just days after his release from prison, a court has heard.

Torquay’s Gerard Henderson, 45, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court accused of terrifying a young mother he has already been jailed for pursuing.

Henderson was released from prison on March 31, after serving four months for stalking her, and two days later he was at it again, the court was told.

According to police, he called her using a private number four times on April 2, twice on April 3, six times on April 4 and once each on April 5, 6 and 7.

The court heard call charge records showed the attempts were made from his mobile phone numbers.

His Apple iPhone was seized during a police interview on April 12.

“It was examined and confirmed to be one of the phone numbers involved in the calls,” the court heard.

Police will allege Henderson also contacted an associate on Facebook messenger on April 5 asking him to contact her under false pretences.

Gerard Henderson, 45, is alleged to have stalked a victim two days after being released from prison earlier this year.

“I need you to call someone … circumstances you don’t know,” he wrote.

“Ask if she has … number and say it is for you and you know nothing about me.

“If she gives it I will sort them two tools.”

The court heard in additional messengers to the associate he wrote “she never picks up. f***ing c***.”

He followed up on April 6 asking “hey dude just keep in mind she will call you at some stage today … she always rings back to people with the number on her phone”.

“Please make sure you don’t say my name one f***ing bit yeah. Hopefully working this s*** out,” the court heard.

He followed up on April 11 asking “did you ever get a call back from that number?”, according to the summary.

Henderson has a lengthy criminal history for stalking.

Henderson has a lengthy criminal history for stalking, threats and ignoring court orders.

The victim, who appeared in court, had prepared an impact statement but was unable to read it after the matter was adjourned.

Henderson’s defence barrister told the court he wasn’t aware of certain paragraphs in the summary and asked for an adjournment to go over the details.

He said his client would plead guilty.

“The material that was read out has not been disclosed to the defence at this stage,” he said.

Magistrate Gerard Bryant, in granting the adjournment, said the charges were “quite serious” and could involve “lengthy terms of imprisonment.”

Henderson made no application for bail and will next appear on July 18.

Originally published as Gerard Henderson, 45, allegedly used associate to try contact terrified victim