Paul James Knighton, Mount Cotton, fronts court on alleged stalking charge
A 15-year-old schoolgirl has been left ‘traumatised’ after a bayside disability worker was allegedly caught stalking her, a court has heard.
Redlands Coast
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A Mount Cotton disability worker has faced court after allegedly stalking a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
Paul James Knighton, 50, appeared in court on Thursday, November 10, in relation to five charges including, unlawful stalking, one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, one charge of committing a public nuisance act, one charge of contravening direction of police and one charge of breaching bail conditions.
Mr Knighton was subject to a curfew only able to leave his house only from 10am to 2pm every day.
He said the curfew was very restrictive.
“I can’t live in those conditions,” Mr Knighton said.
“I’m not living the life I want to live.
“I just don’t understand how I can be charged with stalking if I only saw her a few times.”
Magistrate Deborah Vasta said his bail conditions would be reviewed at a later time.
“Soon it’s going to be school holidays so we will have to change those bail conditions anyway,” Ms Vasta said.
Ms Vasta said the alleged victim of the stalking, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, was now “hypervigilant”.
“She sees you everywhere even if you’re not there,” Ms Vasta said.
Mr Knighton’s lawyer, Tania Lacy, said her client wanted to cross examine the victim as he no longer wanted a legal representative.
“It’s sensitive evidence,” the police prosecutor said.
“We are talking about a 15-year-old schoolgirl who, in her mind, is traumatised by this.
“She is frightened. She is a child.
“He can’t cross examine a 15-year-old girl.”
Ms Vasta ordered that Mr Knighton be granted legal aid.
“The (Legal Aid Queensland) lawyer will get to cross-examine you on her behalf and that’s a free service that I will order for you,” Ms Vasta said.
Mr Knighton was due to appear again in Cleveland Magistrates Court on December 15.
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