Simon Key, who stalked Premier Steven Marshall while affected by mental illness, to spend a further three months under supervision

A man who stalked Premier Steven Marshall and left him threatening messages while affected by a mental illness says he hopes to never return to court.

A man who stalked Premier Steven Marshall will spend three more months under mental health supervision – and has told a judge he hopes to never return to court.

On Wednesday, the District Court imposed a 15-month limiting term upon Simon Key, having found him not guilty of the offence due to mental incompetence.

A limiting term is a period under mental health supervision equal to the prison term that would have been imposed following a conviction.

Due to the 11 months and nine days Mr Key has already spent in custody, his term will expire on November 25.

In court, Judge Liesl Chapma – who has presided over several other cases involving Mr Key – said experts agreed he had gained insight into his illness since the offending.

Simon Key outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards.

“Your level of function now is markedly different, and you are at a relatively low risk of relapse at the moment,” she said.

“You’ve been in my courtroom on a number of occasions … you are looking better today … congratulations, that’s really good and a really good effort.”

Mr Key thanked Judge Chapman, saying: “I hope not to return to your courtroom, Your Honour.”

Mr Key, 43, was found not guilty of one count of stalking by reason of mental incompetence.

In May last year he left threatening, aggressive and abusive messages on Mr Marshall’s phone, calling him a “mutt” and “puppet” of former premier John Olsen.

Mr Key wanted one of his friends released from hospital and demanded Mr Marshall make the arrangements.

Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz.

He warned that, if his demand was not met, he would set off fire alarms in the state’s hospitals leaving patients on the street “with no one to care for them”.

Mr Key has a narcissistic personality and a long-standing history of bipolar disorder.

The passage of his case, through the courts, has been fraught with adjournments and difficulties.

On Wednesday, Judge Chapman said Mr Key was now properly medicated, had the support of his family and was engaging with treatment.

She ordered he continue those efforts, giving authorities the power to immediately detain him should he breach those obligations between now and November.

“You are on the right path now and have good people checking on you – good luck,” she said.