Luke Andrew O’Connor in Taree court for Old Bar stalking/intimidation, breaching AVO

A man convicted of intimidating a woman was initially charged with trying to stop her giving details about a crime to Mid-North Coast police. Here’s what happened in court.

Taree Police Station and courthouse.

A man sentenced for intimidating a woman, who was initially charged with trying to stop her giving details about a crime to police, says time spent behind bars on remand was a huge wake up call.

Luke Andrew O’Connor’s lawyer told Taree Local Court his client has turned his life around since he moved south to Sydney.

The 33-year-old was charged in relation to an incident at Old Bar between late June and early August last year.

O’Connor was charged with threatening to cause injury/harm to the woman to prevent information about an indictable offence being given to police.

Police alleged previously the threats were intended to stop the woman giving evidence in relation to domestic violence-related intimidation.

However, it was revealed in court on October 11 that charge would be withdrawn.

Instead, O’Connor pleaded guilty to stalking/intimidation intending to cause fear of physical or mental harm.

Luke Andrew O'Connor leaving the court.

O’Connor had already pleaded guilty to breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).

The court heard O’Connor used to live in Kendall, near Port Macquarie, but has since moved to Sydney and started a new life with a partner and child.

O’Connor has been working as a council street sweeper in Liverpool.

His lawyer told the court that 50 days O’Connor spent in custody before he was granted bail to live under a curfew acted as a big wake up call for him.

O’Connor was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.