Battery Hill chef avoids jail after stalking ex with 200 phone calls

A chef's relentless stalking campaign against his ex-colleague has landed him a suspended sentence after she endured months of harassment and threats of violence.

Jarrod John Glen Hooson faced Maroochydore District Court last week. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Battery Hill chef has escaped a stint behind bars after stalking a former colleague so incessantly she had to change her phone number.

The claim was retold in Maroochydore District Court last week after the 29-year-old admitted to stalking his former partner over two months following an acrimonious end to their relationship.

In summarising the facts to the court, Judge Glen Cash said the offending occurred over July and August last year where Jarrod Hooson called her multiple times and sent her unwanted emails.

Judge Cash said this included 200 phone calls over the span of a fortnight along with concerning emails which on one occasion contained a threat of violence.

The victim had to change her number due to the fear of violence by Hooson towards her, the court was told.

Hooson outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

Hooson was arrested for unlawful stalking and pleaded guilty to the single charge in court last week.

Legal officer Alastair MacKenzie said it was open for the Battery Hill man to serve actual time behind bars.

Defence solicitor Chelsea Emery said the qualified chef worked with the victim at the time at a Sunshine Coast surf club and dated her for several months prior to their break up.

Ms Emery said she was instructed the woman allegedly told Hooson she had HIV two months into their relationship, however the 29-year-old opted to continue to see her.

He pleaded guilty. Picture: Patrick Woods

She said they moved on from this however he found out she had been allegedly unfaithful and felt “betrayed” after he overlooked her health issue.

The solicitor said Hooson was drinking heavily at the time and lost his job following being charged. However he continued to work as a head chef at a local tavern.

Ms Emery said he stopped drinking following his arrest where he spent 19 hours in the watch-house. She said he made substantial admissions when he spoke to police and expressed remorse. He had also attended counselling.

She believed Hooson had come so far with his rehabilitation he needed to serve his sentence in the community.

Judge Glen Cash acknowledged these circumstances but said people deserved to move on from relationships without harassment.

He opted to keep Hooson out of jail and gave him an immediately suspended 12 month jail suspended, which would be in place for 18 months.

Originally published as Battery Hill chef avoids jail after stalking ex with 200 phone calls