Teh One Who Knocks
01-29-2015, 12:00 PM
ABC News Australia
A Hobart magistrate has taken into account the cultural background of a man who said Bollywood films encouraged his stalking.
Sandesh Baliga stalked one woman for 18 months and another for four months in 2012 and 2013.
The 32-year-old security guard maintained Bollywood movies contributed to his belief a woman would eventually fall in love with a man if he pursued her enough.
Baliga came to Tasmania from India to study accounting about three years ago.
The court heard Baliga texted, called and approached the women excessively, and had begun referring to himself as their boyfriend.
Hobart magistrate Michael Hill agreed Baliga's cultural background helped explain why he did not appreciate the seriousness of his actions.
His lawyer Greg Barns told the court it was "quite normal behaviour" for Indian men to pursue women in a similar way and Baliga did not realise his actions could be classed as criminal.
Mr Hill adjourned the complaint without conviction for five years on the condition Baliga was of good behaviour over that period.
He said the charges were serious but "after anxious consideration" he believed recording a conviction would affect Baliga's job prospects.
The magistrate added that Baliga was remorseful and there was a low risk of reoffending, and his guilty plea had spared the women the stress of giving evidence.
A character witness told the court Baliga acknowledged alcohol had contributed to his action and had stopped drinking.
Baliga did not object to restraint orders being imposed.
A Hobart magistrate has taken into account the cultural background of a man who said Bollywood films encouraged his stalking.
Sandesh Baliga stalked one woman for 18 months and another for four months in 2012 and 2013.
The 32-year-old security guard maintained Bollywood movies contributed to his belief a woman would eventually fall in love with a man if he pursued her enough.
Baliga came to Tasmania from India to study accounting about three years ago.
The court heard Baliga texted, called and approached the women excessively, and had begun referring to himself as their boyfriend.
Hobart magistrate Michael Hill agreed Baliga's cultural background helped explain why he did not appreciate the seriousness of his actions.
His lawyer Greg Barns told the court it was "quite normal behaviour" for Indian men to pursue women in a similar way and Baliga did not realise his actions could be classed as criminal.
Mr Hill adjourned the complaint without conviction for five years on the condition Baliga was of good behaviour over that period.
He said the charges were serious but "after anxious consideration" he believed recording a conviction would affect Baliga's job prospects.
The magistrate added that Baliga was remorseful and there was a low risk of reoffending, and his guilty plea had spared the women the stress of giving evidence.
A character witness told the court Baliga acknowledged alcohol had contributed to his action and had stopped drinking.
Baliga did not object to restraint orders being imposed.