Riverview’s Daniel Rodney Griffiths sentenced for stalking transgender woman

An Ipswich man’s vile treatment of a transgender woman he met on a dating app has been exposed, including threats to burn her house down and saying he hoped she’d die from AIDS.

Daniel Rodney Griffiths, 43, leaving Ipswich Court on September 28, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich man made disturbing threats to burn down a transgender woman’s house after she let him stay with her while he was homeless.

Riverview resident Daniel Rodney Griffiths, 43, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on September 28 to unlawful stalking (threatening violence).

The court heard his victim was a transgender woman he had met on a dating app.

Crown Prosecutor Luke Smoothy said the pair never had an intimate relationship but had become friends.

The woman even offered Griffiths a place to stay while he was homeless, the court heard.

But Mr Smoothy said Griffith’s behaviour took a turn during the period of stalking from November 28 and December 11, 2022.

“Something seems to have angered the defendant and he began to send a tirade of abusive messages,” Mr Smoothy said.

He said Griffith’s messages included that he “hoped the complainant died of AIDS” and that he would burn her house down.

Mr Smoothy said the woman called the police when Griffiths attended her house.

Griffiths was arrested but released on bail with the condition he did not contact the woman, but the court heard he continued to do so.

Daniel Rodney Griffiths, 43, leaving Ipswich Court on September 28, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Mr Smoothy said Griffiths had sent voice messages saying “You had to get the coppers involved, so now it’s just going to be f**king worse for you”.

The court heard Griffiths also told her “she deserved a noose,” that she had never been transgender and that she was an “ugly f**king dog”.

Mr Smoothy said Griffiths continued to reach out to her after she blocked his number, his Facebook and finally his Instagram.

He was arrested again and released the following day, after which the court heard he made no further attempts to contact the woman.

The woman’s victim impact statement revealed how the stalking had caused her fear and anxiety.

The court heard she had struggled sleeping, felt fear leaving the house and suffered from panic attacks.

Mr Smoothy said Griffiths’ offending was “vile” and warranted deterrence “particularly in a technical age where it is so easy to contact someone”.

Defence lawyer Emma Thorsen said her client had been in a difficult period of his life at the time and had very little support.

“This is not offered as an excuse or to in any way blame the complainant, but he felt that he may have met someone that could be a source of support for him.”

Ms Thorsen said her client now had the support of his mother, along with stable accommodation and work as a delivery driver.

Judge Benedict Power KC noted Griffiths had no similar criminal history and said he would now have a chance to get his life back on track.

He sentenced Griffiths to 12 months’ jail, wholly suspended for two years.