By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AN ICE user charged with stalking his former prostitute has allegedly made threats to police that “they better be good with their guns”.
Christopher Norton was arrested in Emerald on 21 February, accused of sending more than 2000 Facebook messages to the victim for nine months last year, a court bail hearing was told.
He was also charged with possessing methamphetamine or ice.
Senior Constable Luke Smith, of Dandenong police, told the court on 22 February the “threatening” and “harassing” messages had instilled fear in the victim.
On his arrest, Norton allegedly told police if the victim continued accusing him, he’d “give her something to complain about”, Sen Const Smith said.
The accused also told police he would “blow his brains out” on the victim’s front doorstop, the court heard.
Sen Const Smith said Norton warned police they’d “better be good with their guns because he is”.
Norton’s lawyer said the accused denied sending threatening messages to the victim, who had been serving Norton at a Dandenong brothel.
Norton claimed several people could have assumed his identity under fake Facebook accounts, the lawyer said.
The “relationship” lasted several years, until a falling-out due to the victim not paying Norton back a sum of money, the lawyer said.
The accused had used Facebook to chase the owed money, and didn’t deny making the threatening statements to police.
“He was angry. He’d just used ice,” the lawyer said.
The court was told Norton had regular work up until he started using ice five years ago.
There was virtually no psychiatric history but for an overnight hospital admission in 2013, the court heard.
Norton, who has a prior conviction for possessing unregistered firearms in 2008, applied for bail at his parents’ house.
The court heard that Norton’s father was a registered firearm holder with several weapons believed to be stored at the home.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said even if the father’s weapons were safely stowed, there was “some sort of risk there”.
Ms O’Donnell refused bail and requested a mental health assessment for Norton.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 24 February.
