Andrew Jeffkins refused bail over stalking allegation

A man accused of stalking a pregnant woman and leaving her “shaking” in fear has been refused bail by a Geelong court.

Andrew Jeffkins is accused of stalking a woman. Picture: Threads

A Geelong man allegedly stalked a pregnant woman and left her shaking in fear, a court has heard.

Andrew Jeffkins, 29, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday to apply for bail, facing a number of charges including stalking.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Sinfield told the court that between August 29 and September 4, Jeffkins texted the woman 103 times.

The texts allegedly included greetings, photos of random things and selfies.

One text was alleged to say “I need to hear your voice”, while in another Mr Jeffkins allegedly said he wanted to “give up on life if you’re not going to talk to me”.

The court heard on August 30, the alleged victim heard her doorbell ring.

When she pressed the intercom, she heard a male voice say “hey, it’s Andrew”, the court was told.

The woman recognised Mr Jeffkin’s voice and did not let him inside, the court was told.

Constable Sinfield told the court the alleged victim was in “absolute fear” and was “visibly shaking” when speaking to police.

Mr Jeffkin’s lawyer, Gary Hansell, outlined his client’s “complex mental health history”, which includes diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and poly-substance abuse disorder.

Mr Jeffkin’s mother tesitifed that he could stay with her upon release, as he had before his arrest.

Mr Hansell submitted that the alleged stalking was “an aberration” and that Mr Jeffkins was best off continuing to receive the treatment that was in place.

Mr Hansell submitted that banning Mr Jeffkins from using a phone was one option to lessen the risk.

Magistrate Peter Mellas accepted that Mr Jeffkins might meet the threshold for exceptional circumstances, but said he wasn’t satisfied the risk to the alleged victim could be mitigated.

“This is all about the risk he presents to a person,” Mr Mellas said, adding he didn’t know what bail conditions he could impose that would protect the woman.

Mr Mellas, who ultimately denied bail, said the prosecution’s case was strong and there was a “demonstrable” risk to the alleged victim and her unborn child.

Mr Jeffkins will reappear in court on September 19.

Originally published as Andrew Jeffkins refused bail over stalking allegation