Ipswich Department of Child Safety’s Andrew Dodd charged with stalking co-worker

A Department of Child Safety worker and former police liaison officer has been accused of stalking his co-worker and making terrifying threats.

Department of Child Safety worker, and former police liaison, has been accused of stalking his co-worker

An Ipswich man has been accused of making terrifying threats to his co-worker at the Department of Child Safety.

He had insisted they were in a relationship and threatened to kill both her and anyone she was with, a court has heard.

Booval resident Andrew Stewart Dodd, 49, was charged with one count of stalking and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

He made an application for bail in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on September 21.

The court heard Mr Dodd was accused of stalking a female co-worker between June 1 and September 21 this year.

They had met through their work at the Department of Child Safety, where Mr Dodd had worked for seven years as a cultural practice adviser.

The court heard the two were intimate on some occasions but the alleged victim made it clear she did not want a relationship.

Police prosecutor Jessica Mills said Mr Dodd had become possessive and controlling.

He had professed his love for her, believing they were in a relationship, the court heard.

Ms Mills said Mr Dodd told the woman on one occasion “I just want to f**king kill you”.

Mr Dodd was also accused of calling the woman hundreds of times from September 17-21.

“I will kill anyone that you are with, nothing will stop me,” he allegedly told her on one occasion.

Defence lawyer Paddy O’Donnell said his client denied making that threat, along with some of the other alleged facts.

He said his client had a good work history, having worked previously as a police liaison officer and watch-house officer.

The court heard Mr Dodd had a dated but relevant criminal history including a previous offence of using of a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

Mr Dodd indicated to Magistrate Dennis Kinsella that he understood the relationship was over.

Mr Kinsella granted him bail on the conditions that he report three times a week and have no contact with the alleged victim.

Mr Kinsella warned Mr Dodd that if he attempted to contact the woman for any reason he would find himself back on remand in custody.

The matter was adjourned for mention on October 12.

Originally published as Ipswich Department of Child Safety’s Andrew Dodd charged with stalking co-worker