The 23-year-old was initially charged with threatening to distribute an intimate picture of one other particular person, however this was downgraded by prosecutors to utilizing a carriage service to harass somebody.
The footballer, who additionally goes by the surname Trindall, confronted Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Tuesday the place full particulars of the offence have been publicly aired for the primary time.
In July 2022, Thomas accused his ex-girlfriend of being intimate with one other particular person whereas they have been talking to one another by way of Instagram messages, Magistrate Julie Grainger instructed the court docket.
The pair started arguing, exchanging a lot of messages, and the girl mentioned one thing about Thomas’ mom which he took offence to.
Thomas threatened to share intimate video recordings taken of the 2 of them and the girl believed he had distributed these clips.
But Thomas didn’t distribute the movies and has taken full duty for his offending within the 12 months since.
His lawyer Sally Vardy mentioned on the time of offending Thomas was not dealing with the sudden lack of his maternal grandmother and was coping with household points.
“It is a reactive response from Trindall in relation to an immediate message sent by the complainant,” she mentioned.
“He received that as a slight against mum and he reacts.”
He accepted his behaviour was unacceptable and has taken half in offending packages, social media coaching and engaged a psychiatrist, Vardy mentioned.
He has additionally been working part-time cleansing for an Aboriginal start-up business and has returned to enjoying for North Melbourne soccer membership.
Grainger mentioned the Instagram messages have been “harassing, inappropriate, unacceptable” however acknowledged Thomas had taken duty for it.
“All of the great work Trindall has done in the last 12 months is for him to learn better ways to deal with conflict, heartache and disappointment, breakdowns of relationships, manage his own emotions, so that in the future he won’t respond in such a manner,” she mentioned.
She agreed to grant Thomas a diversion, which implies he’ll escape a prison conviction, and he was ordered to pay $1000 to charity.
“You won’t have a searchable criminal record, and hopefully this will be your last appearance in court,” Grainger mentioned.
His cost can be withdrawn upon fee to the court docket fund, which should be made by August 15.
If you or somebody you realize is impacted by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, name 000.
Source: www.9news.com.au
