Darwin man and lawyer go separate ways after gag order dispute
A man who has plead guilty to harassing and threatening customer service workers said there is ‘no reason’ not to follow through with his threats if the court did not suppress his name, a court has heard, with the presiding Judge declaring the move ‘blackmail’.
A man who has pleaded guilty to threatening and harassing female workers has had a falling out with his lawyer in the courthouse, after the pair pushed to protect his name with a non-publication order.
On Tuesday, the defendant – who currently cannot be legally named – appeared in Darwin Local Court to plead guilty to using a carriage device to harass and using a carriage device to threaten serious harm.
It was heard the 33 year-old man sent a series of threatening emails and voice messages to customer service staff between February 4 and 7.
The messages were directed at two female staff, the court heard, which included a threat to stab one of the women.
“It was a barrage of voicemails over a period of two days,” the prosecutor said.
“(There) were threats to stab one of the victims and that included a message that he knew what she looks like by searching her online.”
The defendant’s lawyer said while the allegations were “accepted”, it was requested a non-publication order be made to protect his client.
“He’s a vulnerable individual who has in the past (been at) risk of self-harm.”
When the matter recommenced two hours later, the defence lawyer brought new information to the court’s attention.
“Before leaving for lunch (the defendant) mentioned to me that if the court allows (this to be) published, there’s no reason for him not to follow through with what he’s threatened previously,” he said.
“And I take that seriously.”
Judge Woodcock noted the defendant “was laughing” when the facts had been read to the court earlier that morning.
“I’m being blackmailed,” he said.
“This doesn’t feel right.”
The defendant laughed from the front row of the gallery.
“This is a bit of a joke mate,” he called out.
His lawyer urged his client to behave.
“Please, please, please,” he said.
“Please, just don’t say anything.”
The matter was stood down.
When the matter resumed 20 minutes later, the defence lawyer told Judge Woodcock he would stop representing the accused after the day was done.
“The relationship is irreparable,” he said.
A psychiatric report was ordered by the court, with the man’s name suppressed pending the report’s assessment.
“It would be good for you to go and engage another lawyer,” Judge Woodcock told the man.
The defendant will return to court in August.
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