Michelle Payne, Nikita Berriman allegedly stalked by Peter Widdowson

A man has faced court for allegedly stalking two Australian jockeys he was infatuated with and asking them to “hang out” with him on the Sunshine Coast.

A Victorian man has been granted bail after he allegedly travelled to the Sunshine Coast to deliver a package addressed to two professional jockeys he became “infatuated” with after seeing them on television.

Police claim Peter Widdowson arranged for a courier to deliver two large bags to a stables location at Caloundra on June 14, 2022, where jockey Nikita Beriman was residing and jockey Michelle Payne was visiting.

In 2015 Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, while Nikita Beriman is known as an accomplished professional jockey.

The court heard both women opened the packages that contained children’s toys, clothing, dog toys, books and letters “expressing affection”.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said in the letters Mr Widdowson outlined he was staying at an address in Caloundra after travelling up from Victoria to deliver the package.

He allegedly further stated the group should hang out, go to the beach or go out to get tea.

A man has faced court for allegedly stalking Melbourne Cup winner Michelle on the Sunshine Coast.

“After receiving the package, both women were fearful and anxious that (Mr Widdowson) has managed to track their location and follow them from Victoria,” Sergeant Ruddiman said.

“This has caused the women to have anxiety and be unable to sleep in fear that (Mr Widdowson) will attend the address.”

Due to lack of sleep, both complainants were unable to perform duties in their jobs, purchased security cameras and were ensuring no one was following them while driving.

The court heard that when police interviewed Mr Widdowson he said he’d become aware of the two jockeys after seeing them on television a few years ago and since then he had sent a number of packages to them.

Sergeant Ruddiman told the court police searched the place Mr Widdowson was staying in Caloundra and found more letters that he was allegedly preparing to send to the women.

Mr Widdowson was charged with two counts of stalking and initially entered a plea of guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court that was rejected by Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin.

A man has faced court for allegedly stalking Nikita Beriman.

Mr McLaughlin said he was unsatisfied that the facts laid out by Sergeant Ruddiman fully constituted an act of stalking.

“The definition of stalking involves intentional conduct engaged on any one occasion if the conduct was protracted or on more than one occasion and consisting of various things,” Mr McLaughlin said.

Mr McLaughlin told the court he was not satisfied that Mr Widdowson’s behaviour was “protracted” and said it was only the one occasion of stalking.

Mr McLaughlin said the matter would be listed for a trial but first ordered a trial review date on August 18 for further discussions to be had about the charges.

Bail was granted on the conditions that Mr Widdowson not contact the women and he does not re-enter Queensland other than to attend court.