TikToker Ian Bartholomew seeks bail on stalking, harassment charges

A controversial TikToker will be banned from using social media while charged with stalking and menacing multiple alleged victims.

Ian Frank Bartholomew has been charged with further stalking and harassment charges in regards to alleged conduct towards Toowoomba police. Picture: The Chronicle

A TikToker will be barred from posting to the popular social media site after he allegedly targeted Toowoomba police in a string of offensive videos.

Ian Frank Bartholomew, 59, appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday seeking bail on charges of stalking and use of a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

The TikTok commentator, known recently for his inflammatory videos blasting Toowoomba police, was arrested and taken into custody on Thursday last week but elected to remain in the watch-house over the weekend to obtain preferred counsel.

In court, prosecution alleged Mr Bartholomew had stalked a Toowoomba lawyer and published menacing messages to a Queensland Police Service officer.

“It’s a very strong prosecution case in both instances,” the prosecutor alleged.

“The frequency and propensity of his (alleged) actions are escalating.

“(There’s) a pattern of reoffending especially against members of the QPS who are simply doing their job.”

The court heard Mr Bartholomew had a history of similar offending and was subject to a suspended sentence and probation order at the time of the alleged stalking.

At his bail hearing, Mr Bartholomew’s duty lawyer Phil Stainton said Mr Bartholomew was showing signs of a deteriorating mind.

“(His friends note) there has been somewhat of a decline with regard to some elements of my client’s mental health in recent times,”

“They have noticed he is suffering significantly from memory issues and also his behaviour becoming more extreme and lacking impulse control.

He argued a set of strict conditions, including a blanket ban on accessing all social media, would mitigate any risks to the alleged victims and community.

“All of the offending (alleged) before the court today relates to the social media TikTok,” he said.

Mr Bartholomew was granted bail with conditions to remain off social media and to avoid all contact with the alleged victims.

He is due to return to Toowoomba Magistrates Court on February 12, 2025.