Southern Downs man dragged into court over Facebook friend request to sister

The Southern Downs brother who claimed to not be a ‘seasoned Facebook user’ says his inexperience using the social media app while trying to contact his niece and nephew, led to the violations of his domestic violence order.

A Southern Downs man who breached a domestic violence order by sending a friend request to his sister, claimed his actions were accidental due to his inexperience using Facebook. Photo: iStock

A Southern Downs man who breached a domestic violence order by sending a friend request to his sister, claimed his actions were accidental due to his inexperience using Facebook.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also breached the court order by liking two of his sister’s photos on June 30 last year.

The 54-year-old denied sending the friend request when questioned by police.

Defence lawyer Dorothy Switala told the Stanthorpe Magistrates Court it was a stressful time for her client as he was trying to repair a broken relationship between his sister, niece and nephew.

“Your Honour, he instructed me that he has always had a passion for children and looking after children … he always enjoyed a close relationship with his niece and nephew,” she said.

Ms Switala added that her client contacted his cousin to pass on information about the family at his mum’s request, and while scrolling through posts he liked his sister’s photos.

“(He) is not a seasoned Facebook person, in the course of scrolling pictures he liked them and that triggered the friend request. It was not something he went out to do,” Ms Switala said.

Magistrate Julian Noud said domestic violence breaches were always serious.

The Southern Downs man pleaded guilty to one count of contravening a domestic violence order.

He was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond and no conviction was recorded.