Accused stalker threatened to rape wife of Richmond star Dylan Grimes
The Frankston man allegedly went on a social media tirade, targeting Richmond star Dylan Grimes and his wife with abuse.
Police & Courts
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An alleged stalker has been charged with threatening to rape the wife of Richmond star Dylan Grimes.
Christopher Zammit, 40, faces five charges over allegations relating to the AFL defender and umpire Andrew Stephens.
Court documents reveal the Frankston man allegedly sent a series of abusive private messages and wrote public comments on Grimes’ Instagram page on August 23 2020, the day after the Tigers defeated Essendon in a Dreamtime match.
Zammit faces three charges on August 23 for threatening Grimes that he would rape his wife Elisha, for stalking and using a carriage service to menace.
He was charged with a further two offences for allegedly stalking Stephens between July 31 and August 1, by calling his business mobile five times, leaving three voice messages questioning his integrity as an AFL umpire, and using a carriage service to menace.
Zammit’s lawyer Tim Schocker told the Frankston Magistrates’ Court that the police informant was “supportive of a diversion” over the charges relating to Stephens.
But Magistrate Fiona Stewart replied that Stephens and Grimes should be contacted.
“The inquiries should be made of the victims in both matters and it’s a matter for the court whether a diversion is appropriate,” she said.
The court heard Zammit was on bail over the two matters.
Mr Schocker stated the matter was part-way through a case conference with police prosecutors and called for an adjournment.
Zammit will return to Frankston Magistrates’ Court for a further mention on June 23.
Essendon fan Andrew Alexander was also charged with stalking and using a carriage service to harass following the Dreamtime match, but was let off without conviction in December.
The 54-year-old told police he couldn’t remember all the abusive messages he sent, which included emails to Grimes and his wife’s business, because he was “drinking all afternoon”.
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