Surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore’s stalker convicted over ‘chilling’ incident

Australian surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore was reportedly left shaken and upset following a “menacing” encounter with a stalker.

Stephanie Gilmore and Squires Winter.

Australian surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore was reportedly left shaken and upset following a “chilling” encounter with a stalker.

Following a series of frightening incidents, Gilmore sought a personal violence order against Squires Winter in May.

According to Northern Star’s Jessica Lamb, Winter had previously tried to reach the 32-year-old through friends, which left Gilmore frequently on the lookout for him.

As part of the protection order, the publication reports, Winter was not allowed to contact her, look for her or come within 500 metres of her home or workplace.

However, the 66-year-old attended a recent Tweed Coast Pro at Cabarita in September where he made contact with Gilmore.

Seven-time WSL champion Stephanie Gilmore.

According to the report, Gilmore was unloading a surfboard from her car when Winter approached.

He allegedly asked: “Hi, how are you going? … We are going to catch up later, aren’t we?

Gilmore replied: “No, no we won’t. Bye.”

Gilmore later reported the matter to police, who arrested Winter after finding him near the carpark.

Police said Gilmore appeared visibly shaken and upset at the time.

Winter allegedly told police he had been on his way to Brisbane to visit his daughter when he stopped to use the bathroom.

He also told police he had previously worked with Gilmore as a surf coach. However, the court was told she did not know the man.

Squires Winter pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended violence order.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Martin said Winter’s story “did not make any sense” as he could not cross the state border due to coronavirus restrictions.

After appearing in Tweed Heads Local Court via videolink from custody, Winter was convicted and fined $1000 for breaching the protection order.

Winter had previously been charged and convicted for assault occasioning bodily harm three times and twice for assault.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said a deeper reading of the facts made the incident “more chilling with a menacing undertone.”

Gilmore is a seven-time world champion on the Women’s ASP World Tour.