Quick-thinking victim’s Apple Watch records moment Mildura stalker Mike Sheather threatens to “f—ing kill” her family

An Apple Watch recording has captured the chilling moment a Mildura stalker threatened to kill her entire family in a vile, expletive-laden tirade.

Mike Sheather was sentenced to three months behind bars for his prolonged campaign of violence and abuse against his two female victims. Picture: Generic

An Apple Watch recording has captured the moment a Mildura stalker unleashed a vile tirade on his victim, threatening to “f—ing kill” her entire family.

Mike Sheather, 21, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, and common law assault charges at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The court heard one victim was so terrified she hid in a garden as Sheather tracked her location through a mobile phone app and roamed the streets in his car in 2021.

Less than a year later, he assaulted a victim in the smoking area of the Merbein Hotel, prompting bystanders to intervene.

In December 2022, Sheather sent multiple degrading and abusive messages to his victim and made threats to kill her and her family.

The court was played harrowing audio recorded by one of Sheather’s victims on her Apple Watch.

The court heard a snippet of ae recording made by one of Sheather’s victims where he abused and degraded her for no less than 45 minutes.

During the foul-mouthed tirade, Sheather screamed that he would “kill you, your mum and your dad. I’ll kill your whole f—ing family. You’re a f—ing … little c—t, aye.”

On another occasion, Sheather threatened to take his own life and caused damage to one of his victim’s cars.

A Victim Impact Statement (VIS) was read to the court where one of the victims said she needed to see a psychologist regularly which was “essential in helping cope with the trauma since the offending.”

The court heard Sheather’s other victim refused the opportunity to provide a statement, saying submitting one would be too hard and would likely re-traumatise her.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Raef Oliver said specific and general deterrence loomed large, describing Sheather’s conduct as “red flag behaviour.”

Magistrate Patrick Southey agreed, calling Sheather’s conduct “monstrous behaviour.”

Sheather’s lawyer, Peter Delorenzo, indicated his client planned to leave Mildura once he was released from prison.

Mr Southey said Sheather’s guilty plea was valuable, pointing to the fact it meant his victims were not required to testify.

One of Sheather’s victims provided a Victim Impact Statement. The other refused to supply one saying it would be too hard and would likely re-traumatised her. Picture: Generic

“You made (the two victims’) lives an absolute misery. Appalling behaviour,” His Honour said.

Mr Southey said Sheather should expect a much longer sentence if he committed similar offending in the future.

“If anyone thinks it is a light sentence, it needs to be recognised (Sheather) is considered a young offender,” Mr Southey said

Sheather was sentenced to three months behind bars and was placed on an 18-month community corrections order.

With 70 days served in pre-sentence detention, Sheather is likely to be released in mid-February.