Daniel Steven Munce in court for stalking his mother at Gympie, Qld

A 47-year-old man who threatened a shootout with police at Pie Creek has been jailed after repaying his parents’ kindness with a month-long campaign of vile abuse and terror.

Daniel Steven Munce leaves Gympie District Court on Thursday, February 6, 2024, after pleading guilty to stalking his mother, a domestic violence offence.

A 47-year-old man whose parents allowed him to stay on their property when he had nowhere else to go repaid their kindness with a month-long campaign of stalking and terror aimed at his mother.

Daniel Steven Munce moved into a van on his parents Pie Creek property after they were unable to afford continuing to pay for his accommodation in Gladstone, the Gympie District Court heard on Thursday, February 6.

His 75-year-old mother soon became concerned about his drinking, drug use, and some of the people who were visiting him and tried to speak with him about it.

This led to arguments, the court heard, and then a campaign of shocking harassment, abuse and stalking in June and July of 2023.

During this time Munce repeatedly called his mother, left voicemails, loitered around her house shouting, and sent her numerous text messages.

Daniel Steven Munce leaves Gympie District Court on Thursday, February 6, 2024, after pleading guilty to stalking his mother, a domestic violence offence.

At one point he sent her 50 texts in one day containing “degrading”, “insulting” and “abusive” language.

The court heard his messages included calling her a “dirty lying pedo”, “pedophile whore” and a “lying sl-t”.

The worst threats included threats to stab her, burn her house down with her in it, and on the last day of his offending, threatening to kill her.
Munce’s messages also referred to him having a gun and becoming involved with a shootout with police.

The court heard she tried to call police twice during this campaign of harassment and abuse.

The court heard Munce had a drug problem and at the time of his offending was using them “flat out”.

He told officers “I just say stupid things” and “my mouth got me in trouble”.

Munce pleaded guilty to stalking, intimidating, and harassing while threatening violence, aggravated by domestic violence.

Moments after he pleaded guilty he told Judge Gary Long he was “sorry”.

Munce was sentenced to two years and three months’ jail, with a parole release date of March 6, 2025 owing to 215 days already spent in presentence custody.

Originally published as Daniel Steven Munce in court for stalking his mother at Gympie, Qld