Barry Collett pleads guilty to stalking ex-girlfriend for six weeks

A former Sunshine Coast bricklayer has admitted to tormenting his ex-girlfriend through abusive texts, flooding her bedroom and following her at a music festival after a break-up.

Barry John Collett faced Maroochydore District Court on Friday. Picture: Facebook

A former Caloundra West bricklayer has nearly been deported after harassing his ex-girlfriend through disturbing texts, unannounced visits to her home for six weeks and stalking her at a music festival.

Barry John Collett faced the prospect of being sent back to New Zealand, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was eight years old, after pleading guilty to stalking and wilful damage against his former partner over a six-week period between September and November 2022.

Crown prosecutor Michael Andronicus told the Maroochydore District Court on Friday the 51-year-old dated the victim for 18 months back in 2021 and 2022 before their relationship ended.

Over a six-week period, the court was told Collett sent more than 200 threatening and abusive text messages, called her and went to her home without an invitation.

Barry John Collett appeared in court from the dock. Picture: Facebook

Mr Andronicus repeated some of the horrid messages in open court, where the Caloundra West man hoped the woman died “a loveless life”, how he was going to “punch” a man she knew and to say he was “watching” her.

Collett also went to her home and banged on her door for more than 90 minutes, threw rocks at her house and switched on a garden hose and flooded her bedroom.

Mr Andronicus said the victim “struggled to breathe” and was “terrified” during the ordeal.

Messages continued to flow from Collett where he said was “observing her”, how she was “evil” and how she used her home as a “smorgasbord” for other men.

The court was told the 51-year-old even stalked the woman at the Caloundra Music Festival before he questioned her over text about another man.

Collett was arrested for an unrelated matter on November 14, 2022 where he downplayed his stalking and even blamed her, where he declared she “enticed” him to text her.

Barry John Collett was born in New Zealand but came to Australia when he was a young boy.

Mr Andronicus labelled the Caloundra West man’s conduct as abusive and threatening which involved “psychological torment”.

Defence barrister Lily Brisick said there was no physical violence involved in the stalking but accepted the texts and conduct was “derogatory” and showed persistence.

Ms Brisick said the 51-year-old completed some rehabilitation in almost 19 months since being charged where he gained insight into his offending.

She said if Collett was sentenced to actual imprisonment it would result in the cancellation of his visa. He would then be deported to his birth country of New Zealand where he had no strong ties.

The barrister also said jail would be more onerous for the former bricklayer and fisherman due to an existing back injury.

The court was told Collett spiralled in 2017 after the breakdown of a past marriage but currently looked after his elderly mother who he wanted to take care of.

Judge Ken Barlow told Collett the victim was entitled to break up with the 51-year-old and he needed to accept it, no matter how unpleasant it was for him.

Collett was sentenced to 24 months’ jail but given immediate parole.