Stonnington mayor wins intervention order against Council Watch head

A magistrate has found Council Watch’s Dean Hurlston “crossed the line” in his public scrutinising of Stonnington Mayor Melina Sehr, finding he stalked and harrassed her.

Council Watch head Dean Hurlston has been slapped with a two-year order prohibiting him from stalking, harassing or making derogatory remarks about Stonnington mayor Melina Sehr in a ruling that is likely to open the door for a defamation lawsuit.

Melbourne magistrate Michelle Hodgson on Tuesday told Mr Hurlston that there was no issue with legitimate public scrutiny of councillors, but in his case he had “crossed the line”.

She ruled a full personal safety intervention order was “necessary and appropriate”, warning Mr Hurlston if he breached the order he was at risk of going to jail for up to two years.

Cr Sehr applied for the order at Melbourne Magistrates Court last month, telling a four-day contested hearing how she had been targeted with an “unrelenting stream of mockery, belittlement and abuse” by Mr Hurlston since 2019.

Stonnington Council Mayor Melina Sehr applied for the order at Melbourne Magistrates Court last month. Picture: Paul Loughnan

She tendered a 486-page document detailing the persistent texts, emails and social media posts from Mr Hurlston and Council Watch over the last six years, which contained mocking images and derogatory references.

Often comments were made about her physical appearance and her personal life, she said.

In one post, she was referred to as “Miss Piggy” and “Kermit’s girlfriend” in reference to the muppet’s characters.

In another she was accused of weaponising her mother’s death to avoid questioning over an alleged conflict of interest.

Cr Sehr described feeling watched as if she was being monitored, and persistent worry about what would be next, leaving her with anxiety and a sleep disorder.

Mr Hurlston denied it was targeted harassment and said he was not motivated by personal animosity, despite Cr Sehr claiming the attacks began after Stonnington Council decided to build a series of netball courts near his home.

Dean Hurlston has been prohibited him from stalking, harassing or making derogatory remarks toward Sehr. Picture: Kiel Egging.

He told the court it was his role to inform residents and hold people in public office to account, adding that Cr Sehr should expect robust criticism as a councillor.

His posts and commentary, he claimed, were “mocking or satirical” in a deliberate tabloid-style to get engagement and that he had a right to political expression.

Mr Hurlston told the court he was unaware Cr Sehr was distressed until the application for a personal safety order was made, claiming her reaction was exaggerated and unreasonable.

“I did not find Mr Hurlston a credible witness,” Ms Hodgson said, adding that he made contradictory statements, and had a “lack of insight and contrition”.

She found “the tone, frequency and personal nature” of the activitists commentary and behaviour amounted to harassment and stalking.

“There was ample evidence of ill will, spite and animosity towards Ms Sehr,” Ms Hodgson said.

“I find the publications were not on the balance of probabilities without malice.

“There is a real probability or likelihood that Mr Hurlston will continue to engage in the impugned conduct.”

Stonnington Mayor Melina Sehr has been granted an intervention order. Picture: Janine Eastgate

Under the order, he must not stalk or attempt to locate or follow Cr Sehr, or go within 2m of her.

He is also prohibited from publishing menacing, offensive or harassing comments or imagery that would likely cause mental harm or be humiliating or degrading.

Ms Hodgson said the order did not stop him from posting factually-based information about her work in line with his role at Council Watch.

Local government sources have told the Herald Sun Cr Sehr is likely to now file a defamation lawsuit against Mr Hurlston.

Mr Hurlston is not facing criminal charges.