Melbourne nurse Kristine Pataclang admits to intimidate officer after taunting Luke Batty investigator

A Melbourne nurse taunted a senior police officer who she blamed for the death of Luke Batty via a “vile and disgusting” campaign forcing him into early retirement.

Melbourne nurse Kristine Pataclang leaves court after pleading guilty to intimidating a police officer who worked on the Luke Batty murder case. Picture: David Crosling.

A Melbourne nurse menaced a senior police officer into early retirement after accusing the former investigator of being responsible for the death of murdered boy Luke Batty.

Kristine Pataclang, 31, pleaded guilty at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to intimidation of a law enforcement officer after she targeted her victim with a campaign of cruelty.

Pataclang terrorised the victim via multiple emails sent to the recently retired police officer’s work email in March this year

Pataclang posed as slain child Luke Batty and blamed the former sergeant for the death of the 11-year-old boy.

Luke was murdered by his father Greg Anderson at a Tyabb sports oval on February 12, 2014.

Anderson later died after he stabbed himself and was gunned down by police.

Luke’s mother Rosie Batty became an anti-domestic violence campaigner and Australian of the Year after her son’s murder.

The victim, who can only be referred to as ‘AA’ for legal reasons, was involved in the investigation and aftermath of Luke’s murder.

Luke Batty, 11, died after his father Greg Anderson attacked him with a cricket bat and knife at a cricket oval in Tyabb, Victoria, on February 12, 2014.

Pataclang’s “disgusting” emails included images of Luke and Rosie and details of Luke’s burial, the court was told.

The court heard the subject of the first email said: “To (AA) you remember me Luke Batty?” “Remember the time you represented my mum? You were stood down,” Pataclang wrote.

Pataclang sent a second “seven-page” long email which included personal details of the victim.

The email also included the victim’s dealings with Victoria Police and “unfounded” accusations the victim was “corrupt and accepted bribes”.

Pataclang again taunted the victim with vile accusations the former investigator was responsible for Luke’s death.

“Luke’s tragic death (was) caused by you …,” Pataclang wrote.

“You were the person responsible for Luke’s death … at the cricket ground on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

“Have you apologised to Rosie, have you visited Luke? Have you placed flowers on Luke’s grave?

“Luke would like you to visit him and get on your knees on his grave to apologise to him on his 22nd birthday …

Screen grabs from police interview of Greg Anderson who killed his son Luke in 2014.

Pataclang sent further emails which included more images of Rosie and Luke.

The victim said the “content” of the final email was “disturbing in nature” and “caused a great deal of apprehension and fear for he and his family”.

The victim also said references to Luke’s death and corruption allegations were “disgraceful and without foundation”.

The victim, who spent more than 30 years with Victoria Police, told investigators he gave evidence at Luke’s coronial inquest and “grieved his loss”.

AA said, in his victim impact statement read to the court, Pataclang’s “factually incorrect” emails were “vile and abusive”.

“Wearing a police uniform with a name tag attached can make you the target of hatred by some members of the public thinking it’s OK to spew in your direction without recourse …,” the retired officer said.

“Generally when I receive such missives from these keyboard cowards I press the delete button and move on …

“Miss Pataclang’s emails were different … she chose to include my family … she (made) threats to intimidate me …

“(Pataclang expressed) what it might be like for me to lose my daughter like Miss Rosie Batty had lost her son with the inference that his death was linked to my role as a police officer …

“The result of Miss Pataclang’s emails and just how dangerous she was (meant) we removed my daughter from her school …

Rosie Batty campaigned against domestic violence after her son was killed.

“Naturally (my daughter) was confused and fearful … and she is brave, she deserves to feel safe and secure.

“Miss Pataclang took that away from her and all this because (my child) is a daughter of a police officer …

“My family comes first, I tendered my resignation from Victoria Police (just prior to the court appearance) …”

The defence submitted Pataclang targeted AA after seeing a story regarding the 10-year anniversary of Luke’s murder.

Pataclang, a registered nurse, became “totally fixated” with the Luke Batty story after she became frustrated with the criminal justice system.

The court heard Pataclang worked in aged-care but “ultimately found her passion” as a cosmetic nurse in the beauty industry.

The prosecution submitted Pataclang “conducted reconnaissance” on the victim and his family in “the misguided belief he had some fault in the situation she finds herself in”.

Ms Batty leaves the Coroners Court in October 2014 after hearing evidence during the inquest into the death of her son Luke.

“(Pataclang) uses Luke and Rosie Batty against the victim profoundly to intimidate him in his duty …,” the prosecution submitted.

“She acts on this delusional belief … she’s acquired information (about the victim and his family) which is calculated …

“It’s clear the offending conduct has had a profound impact on the victim …

“I note there is currently a campaign by Victoria Police (which) is 800 members short …

“If Miss Pataclang continues with this behaviour and like-minded offenders start engaging in this behaviour or continue to engage in this behaviour how many more members of Victoria Police resign.

“There needs to be a real stop to this behaviour, a real line in the sand drawn that it’s unacceptable … to (go) on a campaign involving cruelty to impact a police officer …”

Anderson

Magistrate Justin Foster described Pataclang’s offending as “disgusting”.

“I am absolutely outraged by the impact your actions have had upon a longstanding member of the police force who has now essentially ended his career as a result of your actions,” he said.

“It’s disgusting … it’s quite unbelievable, the pain and suffering and mental anguish … the court condemns that in the strongest possible terms …

“(The victim) was the subject of, not just unfair, but disgraceful criticism … (the victim) thinks you’re a monster …

“He doesn’t know who’s at the other end of the line, he’s looking out for his family … you’ve had your career end and you’ve just ended another one …

“I sincerely hope the victim can get on with his (life) …”

Pataclang was convicted and handed a 12-month community correction order with 170 hours of unpaid community work.

“I hope while you work every hour of those 170 hours you reflect on the misery you have caused,” Magistrate Foster said.