Garry Thorvaldsen charged with stalking and threatening five of his neighbours in Sunshine Beach
A long-term resident of the Coast’s most exclusive suburb allegedly verbally abused five of his neighbours and drove his car towards a few of them, a court heard.
Police & Courts
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A Sunshine Beach man allegedly stalked and harassed five Greens Party members who live on his street in a neighbourhood stoush that has resulted in him being arrested.
Garry Thorvaldsen, 59, appeared in custody in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with five counts of unlawful stalking, two counts of threatening violence and one count of a serious assault of a person over the age of 60.
The court heard Mr Thorvaldsen had allegedly threatened five of his neighbours, with some allegations dating back to 2013.
Mr Thorvaldsen’s solicitor, Peter Boyce, said his client had owned his Sunshine Beach property on Whale Drive for about 20 years and the five complainants had either lived on the same street in the past or still resided there.
The Sunshine Beach area has proved to be a popular spot with property buyers, with a beachside block nearby Mr Thorvaldsen’s home recently selling for $7.7 million at auction.
Mr Boyce said his client had told police he didn’t want anything to do with his neighbours.
“The complainants in each case are members of the Greens Party,” Mr Boyce said.
“My client has put up some signs in his yard at the council election saying not to vote for them (and to) support small business.”
Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said Mr Thorvaldsen had allegedly stalked the neighbours “over a lengthy time”.
He said Mr Thorvaldsen had allegedly used “abusive language” towards them, spat at one of them and had also driven his car towards them.
Senior Constable Burrell told the court he initially objected to the bail application but agreed to it after Mr Boyce said his client owned another property in Eumundi where he could live.
“With the closeness they were going to be living in, it was going to be serious risk of committing further offences,” Constable Burrell said.
Mr Thorvaldsen was granted bail and will next appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 23.
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