Michael John Palmer charged with stalking former partner and bandmate

A Mackay musician seeking freedom after allegedly tracking his former girlfriend’s every move will be banned from his local gym and ordered to wear a GPS himself.

A Mackay musician fronted court after allegedly stalking his former partner’s movements through a GPS tracker he installed on her car.

Michael John Palmer is further accused of entering into his former partner’s Sarina home while she was asleep, waking her with propositions for sex and showing her a video he had made of her.

The court heard the recent interactions were just the latest in a series of offences Michael John Palmer had committed against the woman, who was also his bandmate.

Michael John Palmer applied for bail in Mackay Magistrates Court on October 12, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Mr Palmer was remanded in custody after he was charged with aggravated stalking and possessing a dangerous drug.

He appeared via videolink in Mackay Magistrates court on October 12 to apply for bail.

Police prosecutor Jordan Thede opposed the application, arguing Mr Palmer’s history and recent offending showed an “obsessive personality”.

“It was not unsophisticated contact, he’s planted a tracking device and set it up on his phone,” Mr Thede said.

Michael John Palmer applied for bail in Mackay Magistrates Court on October 12, 2021. Picture: Facebook

“To wake up to someone, even one who has a key, standing in your doorway and propositioning you on sexual intercourse and showing you a video they had made of you is obviously extremely intimidating.”

Mr Thede said while imprisonment for Mr Palmer was not inevitable, it was still within range.

Mr Palmer’s lawyer Antoinette Morton argued her client’s bail risks could be mitigated through various conditions, such as a GPS tracking device.

“There were no allegations of threats, or of violence,” Ms Morton said.

Michael John Palmer is accused of stalking his bandmate. Picture: Facebook

In her decision, Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan acknowledged the seriousness of some of the allegations.

Mr Palmer was granted bail with several conditions including wearing a GPS tracking device and banning him from going within 25km of Sarina. He also cannot go within 100m of World Gym North Mackay or 100m of the victim’s vehicle.

He is expected to next appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on November 2.