Anthony Ralph Artioli-Looyenga in Gympie court for stalking

A woman endured weeks of “intense” text messages from a stalker who professed his love while threatening to kill her and her loved ones.

Anthony Ralph Artioli-Looyenga appeared in Gympie District Court via video link on March 24, 2023.

A 53-year-old Goomeri man wiped away tears as a court was told about his persistent texts to a woman and his threats to kill her and her loved ones.

Anthony Ralph Artioli-Looyenga, 52, pleaded guilty in Gympie District Court on March 23, 2023 to one count of stalking while threatening violence and contravening a court order.

Artioli-Looyenga appeared in court via video from Maryborough Correctional Centre, where it was said he had Covid-19.

The court heard the victim and Artioli-Looyenga had known each other for 20 years.

Artioli-Looyenga sent the victim text messages over two weeks, from August 19, 2022 until September 1, 2022 – the day he was taken into custody.

Crown prosecutor E. Bolan told the court Artioli-Looyenga frequently sent text messages “professing his love” to the victim alongside several links to videos.

Over time, the tone of the texts changed, becoming threatening, accusatory and derogatory while his love professions continued.

In one message, he called her a “shallow s--t” and then in another, he said he hoped they’d “be together soon”.

He threatened to kill the victim as well as her family, friends and other people, the court heard.

Ms Bolan said he sent the victim at least 300 messages, the majority in one day, including six lengthy “rambling” text messages.

A current protection order in favour of the victim had been in place since October 2020, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Travis George asked for his client to be released immediately because he had spent about seven months in jail.

Judge Gary Long described the two-week long barrage of text messages as “intense”.

He sentenced Artioli-Looyenga to 18 months’ prison to be immediately released on parole. His 204 days spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.