Cranbourne ex-lover’s Plenty of Fish dating drama ends up in court
A lovelorn Cranbourne man who couldn’t handle the split from his partner illegally logged on to the web to try to lure her back.
South East
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A lusted-up lover who bombarded his ex-partner’s Plenty of Fish dating website profile with unwanted demands for sex has been released from jail.
The man, who also texted her a photo of their dog which had died, was given a good behaviour bond after serving 12 days on remand.
The unemployed Cranbourne man pleaded guilty to persistently breaching a court order at the online Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The couple had been together for 10 years before things turned sour this year.
A protection order was put in place in September, forbidding the man from contacting the woman.
The court heard in October she signed up to dating website Plenty of Fish and very soon after he began to send messages to the woman asking her out for a drink.
Over the following few weeks he continually sent her messages requesting they get back together, that she should come to his house for sex, and asking who she was sleeping with.
He also repeatedly called her and texted her dozens of messages and images, including one of their deceased dog.
He was arrested and admitted he was on the hook-up website, but denied knowing it was his ex-partner he had been contacting.
He said he sent the dog picture because he thought she should know that it had passed away.
His defence lawyer said the man spiralled when the relationship broke down and he struggled to accept it was over.
She said at the time he was optimistic they could get back together, but due to spending nearly two weeks behind bars, he now knew that wouldn’t be happening.
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said the community needed to know they would be protected.
“The accused has harassed his former partner because he hasn’t been able to come to terms with the fact she doesn’t want a relationship with him,” Mr Lethbridge said.
“I hope the (12) days in jail has got that message through.
“I am also hoping he has the wit and wisdom to understand that any further breaches will see him back in jail for the long haul.”
Day was jailed for 12 days, classed as time served, and released on an 18-month good behaviour bond with the conditions he does men’s change and mental health programs.
