Online dating stalker Brendan Murray Watt, 24, sentenced
A Central Queensland man’s “overtly sexualised and racist” stalking of a woman he met on an online dating site have been exposed, with a magistrate describing what he did as “disgusting”.
A court has heard how a Central Queensland man stalked a woman he met on an online dating site in an “overtly sexualised and racist” way.
Brendan Murray Watt, 24, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to stalking, intimidation, harassing or abuse.
The court heard Watt’s offending happened in the Gladstone region between January 31 and March 24.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Allison Johnstone, said the female victim reported the matter to police after a “brief online type of relationship” with Watt ended.
“(Watt) commenced harassing (her) in a manner that was intimidating, and it was abusive towards her,” Sergeant Johnstone said.
The prosecutor said the six-page sentencing schedule tendered to the court detailed all of the words Watt said to the woman.
“And your honour will see they’re quite offensive and harassing,” Sergeant Johnstone said.
Magistrate Mary Buchanan immediately replied: “Well, they’re disgusting.”
Sergeant Johnstone said: “Yes, absolutely, your honour. And the fact that (Watt’s) also using an over-the-top, as described by the victim, an over-the-top Aboriginal accent, saying things of a sexual nature to her, causing great offence and making her feel very uncomfortable.
“Also with the racist undertone there in the way he’s speaking to her, using words such as ‘deadly’ and speaking in a way – trying to reflect Aboriginal or First Nations culture in that way – she (victim) found (that) extremely offensive.
“(The) overtly sexualised nature of it, speaking as she owes him some inheritance – that he has some right over her – quite disgusting and appalling words.”
The court heard that Watt repeatedly called the woman from private numbers and told her he worked for the government.
It was told he called her (N-word) and only a select few people knew that she had Aboriginal heritage.
“She (victim) also felt that (Watt) knowing her name and saying he worked for the government left her feeling like he knew, or had access to, everything about her,” Sgt Johnstone said.
“And (Watt) making comments about Canberra - that was a place where she used to work - again caused some further concerns to her.”
Sergeant Johnstone said the victim was single and living at home with her mother, and at times due to references Watt made, she felt like she was being “physically stalked outside her place.”
“Often her mother wasn’t at home - she (victim) was often left home alone.
“And she (victim) described herself as someone who previously hadn’t really put herself out into the world as yet, and it was a big step for her to take up the courage to enter into online dating sites in the hope of commencing a relationship.”
Watt had no criminal history and his legal team tendered references and medical documents to the court.
A solicitor said Watt was employed and prepared to pay compensation to the victim - something Magistrate Buchanan had foreshadowed.
The court heard that Watt’s offending had occurred at a time when he was drinking alcohol heavily, something he had since sought professional help for.
It was told Watt had “great shame” for his offending and he had written a letter of apology to the victim.
Magistrate Buchanan ordered Watt perform 100 hours of unpaid community service and pay $3000 compensation to the victim.
No conviction was recorded.
