Garry Thorvaldsen granted bail on stalking charges

A man, 60, accused of stalking five Greens Party members who were his neighbours will move back to the Sunshine Beach street of the alleged offending while awaiting trial.

A 60-year-old man who is accused of stalking five Greens Party members who lived on the same exclusive street has been given the all clear to move back to his home while he awaits a trial.

Garry Thorvaldsen was granted bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to eight charges including five counts of stalking and seriously assaulting a person over 60.

Two charges of stalking were altered to include threatening violence before all matters were committed to the district court for a trial date to be set.

His alleged offending dated back to June, 2013.

Solicitor Peter Boyce told the court Mr Thorvaldsen had been previously granted bail to live on his Eumundi property, but asked if he could return to his long term home on Whale Dr, Sunshine Beach.

Mr Boyce said the 60-year-old had been living in a shed on the property and relied on solar power that restricted the use of general household appliances.

He said Mr Thorvaldsen had been returning to his Sunshine Beach home to use the power and maintain the property regularly and had not caused any issues with the alleged victims.

Mr Boyce asked for his bail conditions to be changed so that he could live at the address he had owned since 2002.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said police believed Mr Thorvaldsen posed an unacceptable risk of reoffending if he was to move back to the same area.

Sergeant Ruddiman said the Crown’s case would include 17 statements from 15 witnesses.

Garry Thorvaldsen leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to eight charges. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

During a previous bail application in July 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 previously 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.”

Sergeant Ruddiman said Mr Thorvaldsen had referred to the alleged victim’s as “greenies” but couldn’t confirm if they were affiliated with the political party.

Magistrate Christopher Callaghan said he didn't think it was appropriate for the 60-year-old to live in a shed when he had a “perfectly good house, in a good suburb”.

“It’s a matter for him, I probably wouldn't live there for danger of being accused of doing something more, but he wants to live there (and) I’m not going to stop him,” he said.

“The prosecution haven’t satisfied me that he is an unacceptable risk of committing further offences.”

Mr Callaghan said the delay in the matter also influenced his decision to allow Mr Thorvaldsen to move back into his house.

He said the trial wouldn’t be listed for nine to 12 months.

The court heard Mr Thorvaldsen had no criminal history.

Mr Thorvaldsen was released on bail with the condition he had no contact with the alleged victims or witnesses.