Ethan Smith has become the first person to be charged with stalking in Dunedin. PHOTO: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A notable Dunedin campaigner has become the first in the city to face a charge of stalking and the alleged victim is a police officer. Ethan Tabai Smith, 29, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday facing charges of stalking and breaching the Search and Surveillance Act. At the end of last month, stalking became a criminal offence punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. The offence is defined as a pattern of behaviour (two specified acts within a two-year period) which the offender knew was likely to cause the victim fear or distress. Justice of the peace Warwick Reid did not have jurisdiction to hear Smith’s opposed bail application yesterday, so remanded him in custody to be seen by a judge later this week. Court documents alleged Smith stalked and harassed a local policeman by posting his home address to social media, parking outside his house, filming his wife outside their home and posting it, and publishing the stalking and harassment notice details on social media. The defendant is a prolific Facebook user and on Sunday posted footage of his arrest for the harassment in which he can be heard asking an officer ‘‘what harassment?’’ and refusing to get out of his car. His unmistakeable vehicle is adorned with handwritten colourful slogans including: ‘‘criminal monsters’’, ‘‘victims have rights’’ and ‘‘what goes around comes around’’. A photo of the alleged victim features in a home-made collage displayed on the defendant’s car bonnet, which he posted on Facebook. Smith’s social media also includes numerous videos and photos of his interactions with police. When the stalking law came into effect last month, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said it would protect victims from ‘‘actions by the deluded, the sexist and the abusive’’. ‘‘Stalking causes serious emotional, psychological and economic harm, yet until now, stalkers have got away without facing serious legal consequences. ‘‘Stalking and harassment is vicious ... and can be deadly.’’ felicity.dear@odt.co.nz
