Steven Michael Stanton from Smiths Lake in Taree court for stalk and intimidate

Over seven weeks, a Mid-North Coast carpenter is alleged to have made more than 150 calls and left almost 70 phone messages to a woman in a rehab facility.

Steven Michael Stanton has been charged with stalk or intimidate.

Mid North Coast carpenter Steven Michael Stanton is alleged to have made more than 150 calls and left almost 70 phone messages to a woman in a rehabilitation facility.

The 40-year-old was arrested on December 13 and remanded in custody, appearing via audiovisual link before Taree Local Court last week charged with stalk or intimidate with the intention to cause fear of physical or mental harm (domestic violence).

His lawyer argued Stanton, a carpenter from Smiths Lake, should be released on bail and said he was due to start a three-month job in Forster taking down form work.

Steven Michael Stanton appeared before Taree Local Court via audiovisual link, remanded in custody. Picture: Facebook

He could report to Forster police station daily and live with a family member at Smiths Lake, about 30km south of Forster, and have no contact with the alleged victim in a rehabilitation centre in Sydney, his lawyer also told the court.

Police prosecutor Cherie Harmer argued against granting him bail, telling the court he allegedly called the woman “in excess of 150 times” and left 69 phone messages.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins described the alleged behaviour as “quite disturbing” and an example of “obsessive coercive control”.

Ms Hawkins said Stanton allegedly told police “yeah I called her, I thought she was cheating so I had to know”.

Stanton shook his head, then held his head in his hands as Ms Hawkins denied bail adjourning the matter to December 21 where it is expected he will enter a plea.