William Eric Robert Stuart: Jilted husband’s ‘disturbing obsession’ with wife

A Warwick court heard a woman was subjected to a months-long campaign of stalking by her estranged husband, who would travel to terrorise her at her workplace and home.

A 63-year-old man has narrowly avoided a stint behind bars after inflicting a months-long stalking campaign on his ex-wife, leaving her “shaken and distressed”.

William Eric Robert Stuart drove from his home in Stanthorpe to stand outside his wife of 40 years’ workplace, drive past, and leave messages on her phone.
The Warwick Magistrates Court was told the stalking took place between May 11 and July 22 this year.

Stuart leaving court following his sentencing

In one instance, Stuart told a taxi driver he ‘could go to jail for eight months’ as he had the driver take him past his victim’s home.
The court was told Stuart was subject to a domestic violence order that prevented him from being within 50m of his wife.

She reported her ex-husband’s unsettling behaviour, telling police it left her “shaken and distressed”.

Magistrate Virginia Sturgess read from a report by the Stanthorpe Health Service tendered to the court, which detailed a submission that Stuart had insight in his all-consuming behaviour, but had no control over it.

She warned Stuart his behaviour was increasingly alarming.

“Your obsession with your wife and subsequent actions resulting in repeated detention in custody is of concern, ” Ms Sturgess said.

Stuart pleaded guilty to unlawful stalking and was sentenced to nine months’ jail, which was suspended for 18 months.