Joshua James Carrier Kanak granted bail over Rockhampton stalking charge

A man charged with suddenly stalking an ex 13 years after they split up claims he was triggered by something he spotted on social media.

Joshua James Carrier Kanak, 38, made an application for bail in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 21 after spending four months in custody waiting for a charge of stalking to be finalised.

A man accused of stalking a former partner he separated from 13 years ago has offered up an unusual reason for his behaviour.

Joshua James Carrier Kanak, 38, made an application for bail in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 21 after spending four months in custody waiting for a charge of stalking to be finalised.

The court heard, as he was being committed to stand trial in the District Court, that Mr Kanak was accused of stalking the mother of his 20-year-old son for 10 days in March.

Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said her client had separated from the woman 13 years ago and they had one son together.

She said the background to this alleged offending involved Mr Kanak buying a $12,000 car for his son, 20, only to find out via Facebook that his ex and her current partner had listed that car for sale.

“He found this upsetting and distressing … and he was intoxicated,” Ms Reynolds said.

She said her client was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been receiving support through the NDIS scheme four hours per day, five days a week prior to being held in custody for this.

Ms Reynolds proposed Mr Kanak be released from corrective services custody and into the Rockhampton Hospital’s Mental Health Unit’s inpatient care where there was a bed waiting for him.

She provided documents about this to the court, saying Mr Kanak would not be released from the facility until it was signed off by the chief psychiatrist and that would include him having accommodation to go when released.

The court also heard Mr Kanak was subject to a forensic order.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale granted Mr Kanak bail to go to the mental health unit and other strict bail conditions.

Mr Kanak also had a wilful damage charge from the same period as the stalking charge.

That charge was adjourned until October 13, 2025.