Oakey solar farm electrician Nicholas John Dowling accused of DV, stalking to wear tracker device

A Toowoomba tradesman accused of stalking an ex-partner has been granted bail, with a Toowoomba magistrate claiming the conditions were the strictest she had ever imposed.

A Darling Downs electrician accused of committing domestic violence offences against an ex-partner was given bail with the most strict conditions a Toowoomba magistrate had ever imposed.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said the allegations levelled against Nicholas John Dowling were “extremely concerning behaviour,” and she was “concerned for the woman’s welfare”.

However, she said the risk of reoffending could be ameliorated with “extremely” strict bail conditions.

“These are some of the most onerous conditions I have ever placed on anyone’s bail,” she said.

As a part of Mr Dowling’s bail conditions, Ms Philipson said he was to report to a police station in person every day, wear a monitoring device, live with his mother, and not contact the woman or be within 100m of her, or the town she lived in.

Oakey solar farm electrician Nicholas John Dowling has been granted bail at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on charges of domestic violence. Picture: Social media

Police charged Mr Dowling with stalking and other offences.

The court was told that on one occasion, Mr Dowling allegedly stalked the woman along a busy road.

Solicitor Jag MacDonald told the court the allegations were very difficult for the prosecution to prove.

He also told the court he did not understand how Mr Dowling asking his mother to monitor the woman’s Snapchat score constituted stalking.

A Snapchat score rises when a person sends content, such as photos and videos, to someone in a private message.

Ms Philipson said the specifics of Mr Dowling’s alleged behaviour should be looked at in context with all of the allegations levelled against him.

“His (alleged) conduct taken as a whole is extremely concerning,” she said.

“They do form allegations of cohesive behaviour and following her and keeping tabs on her.”

Mr MacDonald said the Oakey solar farm worker had a strong case against the complainant and any day spent in custody was “a day too long”.

“A significant amount of (the charges) in my submission – cannot be proven,” he said.

“There is another very important factor… the fact of delay.

“The court has clearly indicated that not all stalking charges result in jail, they can be punished anywhere from a fine to actual jail.”

Mr MacDonald said bail conditions would ameliorate any risk of reoffending, and he “strongly put that my client be given bail”.

Police opposed the bail application, however the prosecution’s submission was not read into the record during the proceeding on Monday morning, June 19.

The court was told the Kingsthorpe man usually had a firearms licence, however it was cancelled after the allegations were made.

After successfully applying for bail the matter was adjourned to July 5.

Originally published as Oakey solar farm electrician Nicholas John Dowling accused of DV, stalking to wear tracker device