Sophie Monk stalker had mental issues
EDS: note graphic content in pars five and six
By Andrew Drummond
LAUNCESTON, April 29 AAP - Sophie Monk's stalker will not do jail time after a magistrate said his mental health issues made him ineligible for a custodial sentence.
James Scott McCabe, 31, has pleaded guilty to sending countless violent and sexually suggestive social media messages to the star, dating back to 2010, after he became obsessed as a teenager when Monk appeared on the TV show Popstars.
McCabe used Facebook and Twitter to send messages, which included "ramblings" about god, satan, Hitler and war, prosecutor Kerryne Barwick told Launceston Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
When Monk returned from a stint living overseas in late 2013 the harassment escalated.
"He describes what appear to be hallucinations of her being raped," Barwick said.
"He also describes himself masturbating while thinking of her."
In one message McCabe said he must kill Monk and them himself so they can be together.
Monk contacted police in December 2013 out of fear for the safety of her family.
She repeatedly "blocked" McCabe on social media, but he would set up accounts in a different name and continue the harassment.
Monk found the messages "creepy and alarming", felt anxious and afraid and was forced to shut down her accounts which she needed for work, Barwick said.
Magistrate Sharon Cure asked what Monk's business was and why it relied on social media.
"It is essentially the business of being famous," Barwick replied.
Defence lawyer James Oxley outlined McCabe's lengthy history of illicit drug abuse and mental health problems, including schizophrenia.
The magistrate had planned to sentence McCabe on Wednesday but said she needed more time to to decide the penalty and take into account his mental health conditions.
"But for these factors he would be facing a substantial term of imprisonment," she said.
The matter was adjourned until Wednesday next week for sentencing.
