Otago Daily Times

Jailed after ‘terror’

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BRISBANE: A Brisbane man has been jailed for an online ‘‘reign of terror’’ against an exgirlfrie­nd which left her too scared to open her front door as dozens of random men arrived expecting sex.

Ryan Kotynski (42) was sentenced in Brisbane District Court yesterday to four and ahalf years’ jail after pleading guilty to stalking Robyn Night between 2011 and 2015.

The court heard how Kotynski impersonat­ed Night online and posted personal details, including her address, on adult websites and other pages as ‘‘revenge’’ four years after their relationsh­ip ended.

Images of Night’s head were superimpos­ed on naked women and posts invited men to rape and torture her, with one saying: ‘‘I’m home alone now and need extreme punishment.’’

More than 50 men went to her Brisbane home expecting sex while she was pregnant, and suggestive messages were left on her phone and in her mailbox.

In a powerful victim impact statement, Night recounted how the men arrived at her doorstep day and night during a ‘‘reign of terror’’ in which she became too scared to open her door and leave her house.

She installed a security camera and avoided going out for fear of being recognised and raped.

She was so fearful she dyed her hair, considered changing her name and even thought about ending her life.

For nearly four years she had no idea who was behind the torment and recalled feeling numb and physically sick when she learnt it was Kotynski.

‘‘After four years, his reign of terror was over,’’ she said.

Night told Kotynski he had humiliated and tortured her and she did not care whether he was remorseful.

‘‘You are absolutely deplorable in your actions,’’ she said.

Defence barrister Deborah Holliday said Kotynski was deeply embarrasse­d by his offending, which occurred when he was lonely and suffering anxiety.

Her client had lost his job and received death threats after publicity of the case, she said.

Judge Leanne Clare said even though Kotynski had denied being responsibl­e for the worst of the online messages, he had allowed the profiles to remain online.

The stalking was deeply disturbing and part of a ‘‘strategy of revenge’’, she said.

‘‘You placed her and her family in real danger and you caused them to live in constant fear,’’ Judge Clare said.

Kotynski also pleaded guilty to using identifyin­g informatio­n to commit an indictable offence and possessing child exploitati­on material which police found while searching his home.

He will be eligible for parole on May 3, 2018.

Outside court, Night said she was happy the ordeal was over and hoped her ex had a ‘‘wonderful time in jail’’. — AAP

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