“I’ll kick the absolute f*** out of you” man fined over violent messages

The 44-year-old Gympie miner sent multiple threatening messages to a female acquaintance, including telling her he would ‘hunt her down’ and ‘kick the absolute f--- out of her’

Darren Cross, 44, pleaded guilty to sending threatening messages to his victim over a number of days after she belittled him over Facebook Messenger in March 2021.

A 44-year-old gold miner working in Melbourne sent vicious and threatening messages to a mutual acquaintance.

Darren Cecil Cross pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday to using threatening language and harassing someone over Facebook Messenger while he was at Rainbow Beach between March 20-25.

Defence lawyer Neesha Maidwell told the court the messages began when the victim tried to belittle Cross through a message on Facebook.

“She referred to him as a ‘little boy’ and said ‘come stand in front of me, and I’ll show you what a strong woman is’,” the court heard.

In retaliation, Cross replied with several threatening and belittling messages, which carried on for a number of days before the victim contacted police out of fear.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said Cross had used menacing language, including threatening to kill her.

“He did say things like ‘I’m going to hurt you’, ‘I’m going to hunt you down when I’m home’...’I’ll kick the absolute f--- out of you’,” he said.

Sergeant Stevens also said Cross had belittled the victim’s appearance and gender orientation.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan condemned Cross’s actions, saying “If you want to be critical of someone, do it to their face”.

Cross was fined $400 for the messages and is no longer in contact with the victim.

Originally published as “I’ll kick the absolute f*** out of you” man fined over violent messages