Henry Maxwell Victor Small sentenced for stalking in Maroochydore Magistrates Court
A man who repeatedly contacted a woman and visited her workplace across more than three years out of unreciprocated ‘infatuation’ will not spend any time behind bars for his repeated stalking.
A man’s repeated attempts to contact a woman and appearances at her workplace forced a family to upgrade their home security out of fear.
Henry Maxwell Victor Small, 53, has been sentenced for stalking a woman across more than three years, after Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard the details of his “infatuation” earlier this month.
Small had previously pleaded guilty to one count of stalking and magistrate Rod Madsen handed down his sentence on Friday, November 21.
The court heard earlier this month Small harassed a woman, who was his supervisor during his brief employment, between February 2022 and August this year.
Small would discuss the victim in conversations, obsess over her eyes and refer to her as “wonder woman”.
Complaints were made and Small lost his employment, yet he continued to contact the victim and show up at her workplace, the court heard.
Police told Small to stop contacting the woman in mid-2023 and Small had done so until this year, when he sent several voice messages in January and March.
The court was told he kept saying he wanted to “hear” her voice, was “so, so in love” with her and was “still super hung up” on her.
Police contacted Small again, yet he then visited her workplace on August 15, causing the woman to drop to the ground in shock.
The court heard he told other employees he needed confirmation from the woman that there was “nothing here” as he was asked to leave.
On Friday, defence lawyer Michael Robinson said Small had obtained a mental health care plan, and expressed “genuine remorse” over his offending.
Mr Madsen told the court Small’s stalking caused fear, anxiety and stress for the victim and her family, who improved their home security system in light of the offending.
The court heard the woman became apprehensive of social media and now parks with caution, checking her mirrors frequently out of fear.
Mr Madsen labelled Small’s behaviour as “infatuation”.
He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for 18 months with a restraining order in place until 2030.
