A man charged with stalking Northern Beaches women was sentenced in court yesterday (Wednesday, 10 February 2021).
The 42-year-old Frenchs Forest man pleaded guilty to 28 counts of stalk or intimidate intending to cause fear of physical or mental harm, and six counts of carry out sexual act with another without consent.
He had originally been charged with 39 offences related to approaching women and making lewd comments and committing sexual acts on five occasions. The man had approached women who had been out walking alone, making sexual comments, and in some cases exposing himself. Further charges were laid as additional victims came forward following the man’s arrest.
In sentencing the man at Manly Local Court yesterday, Magistrate Bruce Williams highlighted the frightening nature of the incidents for the victims, including two who had been pushing young children in prams when the man approached them.
The man was sentenced to 30 months in gaol, with a 19-month non-parole period. In a statement read to the court, the man said he was ‘disgusted’ with his actions. He was given a 25 percent discount for pleading guilty, with the sentence commencing from 04 September 2020, when he was taken into custody.
The man was caught following an investigation by Northern Beaches Police Detective, Plainclothes Senior Constable Ryan O’Sullivan, who was praised by victims who spoke with the Northern Beaches Advocate.
“Detective O’Sullivan has done an outstanding job of protecting our community. His persistence during a remarkable and lengthy investigation process deserves recognition.
“We are all safer for the actions of Det. O’Sullivan. He has displayed empathy and a willingness to update all the victims on a regular basis while bringing this man to justice,” said one of the victims, who cannot be identified due to a suppression order.
Detective Ryan O’Sullivan arresting the man in September 2020.
According to the victim, the man’s sentence may have been appropriate on a legal basis, but ‘felt light’ based on how prolific he had been with his acts.
“Women were targeted in this series of incidents when they were walking or exercising alone. As a result of this experience I am very cautious about where I exercise and feel less comfortable on isolated trails and the Narrabeen Lagoon track.
“This experience has left me shaken. Being stalked and confronted by a man performing a sexual act on himself was really frightening. Lack of CCTV at the entrances to the lagoon trail made the job of the detectives harder and created a window of time where he was free to approach other victims,” said the victim.
Another of the man’s victims also praised the police response, especially Detective O’Sullivan who she called ‘amazing’ and was happy the perpetrator is now behind bars.
“I am extremely thankful to all the detectives and people involved in this case, also how quickly they responded and acted. I feel comfort in knowing he is spending some time behind bars to get the help he needs.
“This needs to stop and women should be able to roam freely around their neighbourhoods without having to look behind them every five seconds. The thought of this happening to my little sister or even my child in the future makes me sick,” said the second victim who spoke with the Northern Beaches Advocate.
Images: NSW Police
