Ramzi Ben Alaya, 32, pleads guilty to two counts of interfere with or harass a protected animal

A kitesurfing dad who pleaded guilty to interfering with a whale and her calf felt vilified on social media after being arrested, a court has heard.

A kitesurfer has been spared conviction for twice harassing a whale and its calf at Christies Beach – and says he has been vilified by keyboard warriors over the incident.

Ramzi Ben Alaya, 32, kept his head bowed in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Friday as he pleaded guilty to two counts of interfering with, or harassing, a protected animal.

A police prosecutor told the court a registered whale watcher spotted Alaya, of Old Reynella, kitesurfing within 200m of the whale and her week-old calf on July 2.

Ramzi Alaya kitesurfs near the whales at Christies Beach. Pictures: Selina Gukenbiehl,

Witnesses reported the incident to police and that, the next day, a large crowd was observing the whale and its calf about 10.15am when Alaya returned with a GoPro camera.

Ramzi Alaya has been spared a conviction for harassing the whales.

Police prosecutor Dianne Langton said Alaya circled the mammals before dropping into the water for a closer look.

“ (Alaya) told police the whales came towards him when (officers) questioned him,” Sgt Langton said.

“Many people were watching on and became distressed with his proximity to the whales.”

Police attended Alaya’s home, where they arrested him and seized his GoPro camera.

Stephen Ey, for Alaya, said their client had been left deeply embarrassed and suicidal after being bullied online.

“He is unlikely to reoffend given the offence,” Mr Ey said.

“The keyboard warriors have been very critical of him. He suffered depression and he apologised to the president of the kiteboard association after he was charged.”

Mr Ey asked no conviction be recorded due to his lack of previous offending.

Magistrate Todd Grant spared Alaya a conviction and placed him on a 12-month good behaviour bond.