Oamaru District Court
AN Oamaru man who accessed his exwife’s Facebook messenger account up to 200 times over two years without her knowledge will be sentenced at the Oamaru District Court next month.
Geoffrey Ross Williamson (42) appeared in front of Judge Joanna Maze on Wednesday having earlier pleased guilty to a charge of accessing a computer system without authorisation.
The court heard Williamson and his wife of 16 years separated in 2016 and before that, shared a Facebook messenger account.
After the couple separated the woman continued to use the shared account, believing she had changed the password.
In July 2016, about six months after the pair split, Williamson successfully accessed the account.
For the next two years Williamson and his new partner, who is facing the same charge, entered the messenger account frequently and monitored his exwife’s message feed, which included her feelings about the separation, the defendant and his relation ship with the woman, her social life and the needs of the former couple’s three children.
Messages also included some to a friend with legal experience about beginning divorce proceedings.
On July 23, 2018, the woman became aware her account had been hacked and immediately changed her password.
About 7.40pm the same day, an unlawful attempt was made to access the account, without success.
Both defendants were spoken to by police the following day, before they were formally interviewed on August 13.
Williamson said he accessed the victim’s account to confirm she was having a relationship with a former workmate, but denied sharing any information gleaned from the account.
Williamson was remanded at large for sentencing on January 31.
Jessie William Hansen (28), of Timaru, sustained loss of traction, State Highway 1, September 30, disqualified nine months; sale of cannabis, at Hampden, August 29 and 30; unlawful possession of a firearm, at Hampden, August 30, 75 hours community work, six months’ community detention. six months’ supervision (concurrent).
Daryl Richard Bates (26), of Oamaru, theft of 60 litres of fuel valued at $150, Glenavy, September 16, 40 hours community work, $100 reparation.
Tawahi Joseph Geary (30), freezing worker, of Oamaru, breach of supervision, at Oamaru, ordered to appear if called upon within three months.
Tulka Bahadur Khatri (41), of Oamaru, drinkdriving, 698mcg, Clyde St, December 8, fined $450, court costs $130, disqualified six months.
Joseph Godsall (29), dairy worker, of Livingstone, male assaults female, at Ngapara, October 1, nine months’ supervision.
Troy Anaru Marshall McKay (44), of Oamaru, breach of home detention, at Oamaru,
AAAAAAordered to appear if called upon within three months.
Robert John Lee (35), of Oamaru, driving while impaired, Target Rd, Glenfield, September 20, ordered to pay analysts fee of $658.94, medical costs of $111.64, disqualified nine months; careless driving, Target Rd, Glenfield, September 20, convicted and discharged, $450 reparation.
Trent Bishop (33), of Oamaru, common assault, at Oamaru, September 13, ordered to appear if called upon within nine months.
Alex Algar (22), of Oamaru, wilful damage, at Oamaru, November 11, 12 months intensive supervision, $288.54 reparation; obtaining by deception, at Oamaru, November 7; shoplifting, at Oamaru, November 13 shoplifting, at Oamaru, July 17; burglary, at Oamaru, September 20; possession of cannabis for supply, at Oamaru, May 31, 12 months intensive supervision (concurrent); possession of cannabis (two charges), at Oamaru, May 31 and October 5; possession of utensils, at Oamaru, October 5, convicted and discharged.
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