Michael Reid Steel in court for stalking and drugs offences

A Gympie ginger farmer stalked his former partner, sometimes tracking her location, turning up there and threatening to kill her and her new partner.

Michael Reid Steel was sentenced to 15 months jail with immediate parole.

A 29-year-old ginger farmer was released on immediate parole on Wednesday after pleading guilty to stalking and threatening violence in a domestic relationship between February 25 and March 10 in 2023.

Michael Reid Steel also pleaded guilty to possession of utensils for personal use, and possession of a dangerous drug.

Crown prosecutor Christa Nicola said Steel sent his former partner and the mother of his children 178 text messages, which included threats of suicide after the relationship ended.

He also tracked her location and attended places where the woman and the woman’s new partner were present, and threatened to kill her and her new partner.

Ms Nicola said the mother “felt terrible and scared”.

A 29-year-old ginger farmer was released on immediate parole on Wednesday after pleading guilty to stalking and threatening violence in a domestic relationship from Feb 25 to March 10.

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A protection order was issued on March 15, 2023, to remain in place for five years, and had been contravened four times, the court heard.

Judge Brad Farr took into consideration that Steel had been in custody for four months.

Steel was sentenced to 15 months jail, with immediate parole. He was also convicted of the drug and other charges, but not further punished.

Originally published as Michael Reid Steel in court for stalking and drugs offences