A 47-year-old man has been handed 14 counts of stalking. He was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged family violence.
Bail has been granted to a man who allegedly spent months tracking his ex-partner’s car.
An ACT Policing spokesperson said in August 2025, a woman contacted police after a mechanic found what is alleged to be a tracking device hidden in her vehicle.
Police began an investigation and then raided a 47-year-old man’s home in Dickson, seizing electronic devices and other items during the search.
The man, who is legally unable to be named, was handed 14 counts of stalking and faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (11 September) to apply for bail.
The court heard it was alleged he used a device and an online location service to track the vehicle used by his ex-partner over a number of months this year.
He allegedly managed to do so using an application on his phone.
The court also heard his ex-partner said she dealt with the man’s behaviour through their relationship and had been concerned about it escalating.
She said she was unsurprised by his alleged actions that resulted in his arrest because she thought this was a natural progression of his earlier behaviour.
Prosecutor Susie Kim opposed bail, saying while police had seized the electronic device alleged to have been used to track the woman, police were concerned he could use another device to access his account and delete data on it.
But the man’s lawyer, Max Haesler of Hugo Law Group, argued there was nothing in the allegations to suggest his client had actually engaged in the conduct.
There was no evidence to suggest his client had surveilled anyone, he said.
Mr Haesler also said the charges themselves appeared to be curious as they were not attached to any particular alleged conduct.
The man is now in a relationship with another person.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston said the alleged behaviour was concerning, but he thought bail conditions could address the risks.
Bail was granted on conditions, including that the man live in Dickson, not approach or contact the woman, and not use anything in relation to the online location service.
The matter will return to court in October.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero. You can report a sexual assault by attending an ACT Policing station in person, calling 000 in an emergency or 131 444 for police assistance, or online if the sexual assault occurred more than six months ago.
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