Alleged child stalker put on curfew, told to stay inside when school is out

An alleged schoolgirl stalker will only be allowed out of the house four hours a day – preferably when children are in school – after being granted bail.

A bayside man has faced court after he was charged with allegedly stalking a schoolgirl, a month after he allegedly brutally bashed a bus driver.

Mt Cotton resident, Paul James Knighton, 50, appeared in Cleveland Court on Thursday, September 15, on one charge of unlawful stalking, one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, one charge of committing a public nuisance act and one charge of contravening direction of police.

Cleveland Courthouse. Picture: Claudia Baxter

“She (schoolchild) is the victim of the unlawful stalking,” Sergeant Angela Tetley said.

“We have a child who for the first time in a while she can go to a bus stop.”

The court heard more evidence needed to be provided to the court.

“There will need to be a number of exhibits, CCTV footage on the bus,” Sergeant Tetley said.

The Mount Cotton disability worker was previously granted bail on August 10 after allegedly attacking a Redlands bus driver.

Mr Knighton had refused to get off the bus and denied staring at a 15-year-old schoolgirl passenger, Cleveland Magistrates Court had heard.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said Mr Knighton was to continue his curfew after his bail was reinstated.

“For four hours a day you can come out into the community, preferably when kids are at school,” Ms Vasta said.

Mr Knighton will reappear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on October 10.