Peter Connell: Bail refused for Greenslopes man charged with stalking

Hours after receiving an order to have “satanic sex” with 150 women, a young Brisbane man allegedly found and began stalking his first victim.

Bail has been refused for Greenslopes man Peter Connell accused of stalking women.

A Brisbane man who allegedly stalked “a number” of women across the city is said to have done so after receiving a “message” that he would have to have sex with 150 women.

Peter Henry Connell, 31, of Greenslopes appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, December 16 via video-link from custody to apply for bail. He stands charged with two counts of stalking and one of common assault, and has not yet entered a plea.

It is alleged he stalked and assaulted a person at Coorparoo, and stalked a person at Holland Park, on March 30 this year.

Prosecutor Acting Senior Constable Jane Macdonald said the Queensland Police Service was opposing bail for a number of reasons including that he required 24-hour supervision.

She referred to a report provided by the Queensland Health Court Liaison Service which stated Mr Connell had a history of absconding from hospitals while subject to involuntary treatment.

He was said to have a “long-term impaired insight” into the state of his mental health and was known to go off his “significant” medication – such as depo injections, which are often used to treat schizophrenia and psychosis – when without “constant” supervision and support.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Snr Cnst Macdonald said her main concern emanated from a person’s account of the alleged stalking offences.

“(The report) goes on to say that he received a message after a nine-year-long fight against satan that he would have to have satanic sex with 150 women,” she said.

“This was at two o’clock. He then went out two hours later and targeted his first victim.

“This is particularly concerning … behaviour.”

She said the alleged offences took place during a period where Mr Connell was not taking his medication.

Defence solicitor Divya Raj argued any risk associated with Mr Connell’s potential release on bail could be reduced to an acceptable level under strict conditions.

He also put forward that his client would be residing at a place provided by NDIS, where there would be other residents and a 24/7 supervisor.

Magistrate Michael Quinn described Mr Connell’s alleged actions as “extremely serious and extremely worrying”, making reference to the “number” of women he is accused of stalking.

He said he believed there was no bail condition that would ensure Mr Connell would continue to take his medication, and he would therefore be a danger to the community.

Mr Quinn refused Mr Connell’s application for bail and adjourned the matter to February 24 next year. He is not required or expected to appear in person.