By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN has been accused of cyber-stalking one of his five intervention order victims while being treated in Dandenong Hospital mental health unit.
Rhys Benson failed to show cause for bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 23 November.
He was charged on multiple counts of stalking and breaching an intervention order by sending messages to the victim ex-partner from his mother’s iPad as well as computers at the hospital.
Benson allegedly used his mother’s email address, as well as his own email and Facebook accounts, during the offending.
Informant First Constable Phillipe Latour, of Greater Dandenong police’s family violence unit, said Benson told the victim he’d visited her home five times in the past two years.
One stated: “I just look at your house from the footpath but I don’t look in your house or anything.”
First Const Latour said the victim was concerned because she didn’t think Benson knew where she lived.
On one day, Benson sent more than 10 emails and videos to the victim that depicted him reaching out to her and expressing his feelings for her.
The heroin-addicted accused also sent images of drug paraphernalia “to try to impress her”, the court was told.
Benson was arrested upon his release from the hospital that morning, the court was told.
First Const Latour said Benson took himself to hospital on 17 November to “explain” his offending, but the messages sent to the victim were “quite coherent and lucid”.
“He admitted committing the offending because of a psychiatric episode and missing his medication.”
Benson, who was representing himself, told the court he had “not been in the right frame of mind” during the correspondence.
“I can promise you I won’t do it again but if my mental health deteriorates I’ll do it again.
“I’d like to be bailed back to hospital.”
Magistrate Greg Connellan noted that Benson was hospitalised as an involuntary patient after he presented himself on 17 November, which gave “substance” to the accused’s claim.
Mr Connellan, who had released Benson on bail twice recently, said from the outset “the chances of me granting you bail are pretty much zip”.
Benson was accused of breaching his bail conditions including that he not use electronic devices and to comply with five intervention orders.
Mr Connellan said Benson had failed to show cause for bail because he posed an unacceptable risk of reoffending, including in the hospital where he wanted to resume treatment.
Benson was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 December.
