Dylan Grimes troll arrested by police

A man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against Richmond premiership star Dylan Grimes.

Richmond’s Dylan Grimes was targeted by an online troll. Picture: Michael Klein

A man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against Richmond premiership star Dylan Grimes.

Grimes, 29, contacted Victoria Police in the wake of the threats on social media — which he revealed after Saturday night’s Dreamtime win over Essendon – and a 39-year-old Frankston man was arrested and bailed on Monday.

He will appear in the Magistrates’ Court in May next year and faces a raft of charges, including stalking and making threat to commit a sexual offence.

Grimes, who played in the Tigers’ 2017 and 2019 premierships, had been concerned for the wellbeing of his family given the graphic nature of the threats that were allegedly made.

“Firstly I want to thank Victoria Police for their assistance with this matter, and for promptly protecting the physical safety of my family while I am away,” Grimes said.

“The severity and pointed nature of these threats went way beyond what I would call normal post-game banter with this individual.

“So much so that we were concerned for the safety of my family back home in Victoria.

“Honestly, I am disappointed that this has escalated to this extent, I’d really like to move on from it and get back to focusing on footy, but at the same time I also encourage people to continue to call out this kind behaviour. It’s not right for anyone, including players and their families, to have their safety threatened.”

Grimes said early on Sunday morning that he had received “death threats and suicide suggestions” following the game, revealing a number of abusive messages on Instagram

Police confirmed that the man had on Monday been charged with a range of offences.

“Police executed a warrant at a Frankston address on Monday 24 August as part of an investigation into alleged online harassment,” Victoria Police said.

“Detectives arrested a 39-year-old man and charged him with stalking, using telecommunications device to menace, making threat to commit sexual offence and other charges.

“He was bailed to appear before Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 4 May 2021.”

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said “no one should have to tolerate this”.

“As an AFL industry, we need to continue to unite, educate, call out and stamp out this ugly, abusive behaviour,” he said.

“Dylan has taken an important stand on an issue that is simply unacceptable.”

Herald Sun