Nathan Joseph Slonim sentenced for stalking Sunshine Coast Council worker

A Sunshine Coast Council worker responsible for refusing a Mooloolaba man’s building application lived in fear after a builder threatened to smash his head to a pulp.

A council worker responsible for refusing a Mooloolaba man’s building application lived with a baseball bat at his door after the builder threatened to smash his head to a pulp and tried to sideswipe his car.

Nathan Joseph Slonim was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court to stalking a Sunshine Coast Council worker between August 30, 2019 and October 23, 2019.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren told the court Slonim began stalking the 48-year-old senior building certifier after his appeal to keep a newly built carport at his Mooloolaba home was refused.

On August 30, 2019 Slonim, now 44, began his offending by calling the victim’s work mobile.

“You said to him that you would be back in a few weeks and then, ‘I'm coming after you and I will smash your head into a pulp into the ground and I won't stop’,” Ms Rosengren said.

On October 22, 2019 Slonim confronted the building certifier after he attended a non-related development tribunal near the Mooloolaba house.

“You were immediately aggressive, inviting him to fight, telling him, ‘Come on you f--ker, right here on the street now’,” Ms Rosengren said.

“You yelled at him, ‘I’m going to f--k you up you fat f--k’.”

Nathan Joseph Slonim’s carport outside his house. Picture: File

Slonim’s outburst continued when he tailgated the victim down Nicklin Way.

“He sped up in an attempt to lose you, you caught up to with him (and) you again tailgated him before … attempting to sideswipe him,” Ms Rosengren said.

The council worker feared for his safety and became hypervigilant despite the council implementing measures to protect him from Slonim.

“He ended up keeping a baseball bat at his front door for fear you might confront him there,” Ms Rosengren said.

The court heard the father of two had built the carport in front of his house after having a building application refused and was told to demolish the structure in February 2019.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said the stalking that included several text messages and calls was “serious” and suggested an 18-month suspended sentence.

Nathan Joseph Slonim pictured with the carport. Picture: File.

Ms Olivero said Slonim, who had recently moved to Queensland before his offending, had a dated criminal history in New South Wales.

Barrister Mark Dixon said a suspended sentence was in range, but also suggested community service or probation as an appropriate punishment.

Mr Dixon said the stalking was “short lived” and out of character for Slonim, who was described as being polite, courteous and kind in references.

He said the experience had taken a toll on Slonim’s mental health and he was engaging with help services.

Mr Dixon said Slonim was now employed by a Sunshine Coast home-building business and said his builder’s licence could be revoked if a conviction was recorded.

The court heard Slonim had offered compensation to the victim, but the money was declined.

Ms Rosengren said she thought a period of imprisonment was appropriate for the offending that targeted a man who was just doing his job.

A 10-year restraining order was also imposed that forbid Slonim from contacting or attempting to contact the victim.

A conviction was recorded.