Jake Panuzzo: Mother-of-two describes constant fear after alleged stalking

A mother-of-two from Melbourne’s west has detailed the terrifying impact on her young family after a man allegedly became “obsessed” with her.

A supermarket worker from Melbourne’s west has described how her alleged stalker left her unable to work for four months and frightened her children to the point they were “too scared to be alone”.

“I’ve been living in a constant state of fear and anxiety since October,” the Caroline Springs woman said.

“It’s just been horrible, he has not understood I don’t want a relationship with him nor do I want him to know more about me.”

Her comments came as Jake Panuzzo, of Braybrook, faced the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on charges of stalking, trespassing and four counts of unlawful assault.

Police have alleged Mr Panuzzo met the woman at her workplace, quickly becoming “obsessed” with her on October 3 last year.
Over the following months, he allegedly stalked her around Caroline Springs, following her while she was shopping with her two children and visiting her home.

On October 13 and 14, he allegedly trespassed on her property, hid in bushes and assaulted her when she was leaving the house.

“I used to enjoy serving customers,” she said in a victim impact statement to the court.

“I thought by not going to work it would stop. I just want my children and I to have a normal life not constantly looking over our shoulders.”

In court, Mr Panuzzo’s lawyer Emile Barbera said his client had been in police custody since his arrest on December 14.

“He tells me he is very sorry for what he has done,” he said. “He is remorseful and sorry for what he put this poor woman through.”

The presiding magistrate described the allegations as “persistent, classing stalking and controlling behaviour”.

“She gave no indication she was interested in any advance and he (allegedly) did not take no for an answer,” he said.

The matter was adjourned part heard and will return to the same court on May 9.