Gold Coast TV host Charles Dupois to stand trial on stalking, impersonation charges

A TV producer and host from the Gold Coast has been committed to stand trial accused of stalking and impersonating his ex-partner.

Charles Dupois at Brisbane QEII Law Complex. Picture: Philip Norrish

An international recording artist, ‘movie star’, and TV host from the Gold Coast has been committed to stand trial on charges of stalking, impersonation, and forgery after a 5.5-year delay in proceedings.

Charles Dupois, 60, of Main Beach appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 24 to make an application to cross-examine a number of witnesses in a case against him.

He is facing seven charges including one count each of stalking his ex-partner, forgery and uttering, and using a phone service to menace, harass, or cause offence, as well as two counts each of impersonation and uttering a forged document.

Dupois appeared self-represented and commenced proceedings by asking Magistrate Tina Previtera to have his application adjourned for another day as he was “exhausted” and “struggling to keep my eyes open” due to his aunt unexpectedly dying days earlier.

He said he was taking valium and had not slept which would impede his ability to “fairly” present his arguments. No relevant medical evidence was presented to the court.

Counsel instructed by the Queensland Police Service Sarah Farnden opposed his application, stating it was the police position that the application for an adjournment was just another attempt by Dupois to delay proceedings.

The matters before the court on Thursday were first mentioned in the Magistrates Court in May, 2017. They have since been mentioned 55 separate times.

Taking into account the “significant delay” in proceedings of 5.5 years, Ms Previtera refused Dupois’ application to adjourn the matter.

Dupois subsequently stated he objected to the tendering of 27 witness statements as it would “create bias” and be “unfair” to him and his case.

“I’m an international recording artist and TV host and I was a movie star overseas,” he said.

“It would prejudice me.”

Charles Dupois has produced a number of reality TV shows including Fantasy Island, Bikini Island, and If We Can Dream.

Ms Previtera told Dupois she would be taking the statements, except one which was unsigned. She adjourned the court to read them.

The court reopened and Dupois explained the reasons for which he believed he needed to cross-examine the witnesses, referring chiefly to the witnesses’ ‘lack of credibility’ and ‘coaching’ by police officers.

His application was opposed by the prosecution.

Dupois expressed he was concerned about there being perversion of the course of justice, illegal conduct on the part of witnesses, an improper personal relationship between the complainant – his ex-partner – and a police officer, and ‘ulterior motives’.

He also said he was not comfortable with how some of the witnesses did not know and had not met him.

Ms Previtera described Dupois’ application as being no more than a “fishing expedition” or a “dress rehearsal” for a trial.

She considered his concerns and that he considered he was the “actual victim” in the matter, before refusing his application for failing to provide any scope or definitive lines of questioning to prove cross-examination was necessary.

Dupois was formally charged with stalking his ex-partner between 2012 and 2017, using a phone service to menace, harass, or cause offence in 2012, impersonating his ex-partner with intent to defraud between 2015 and 2017, impersonating another person with attempt to defraud between 2015 and 2017, forging a Supreme Court order in 2015, and two counts of uttering a forged document – namely a Supreme Court order – in 2015.

He chose not to enter a plea and was committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court at a date not yet set.