NRL legend Andrew Johns was allegedly stalked by a 27-year-old man while surfing at Bronte Beach and subsequently in his local suburb of Bronte, leading to the man’s arrest and charge by NSW Police.
Mr Johns, 49, first encountered the alleged stalker on 29 March 2024 while surfing at Bronte Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Police reports state that the man followed Johns into the water and stared at him for an extended period.
After Mr Johns left the beach and returned home, he noticed the same man pacing outside on the footpath. The following day, the man allegedly approached Johns at a local café and continued to stare at him.
Concerned for his safety, Mr Johns contacted the NSW Police, who arrested the 27-year-old man on 31 March. The man was charged with one count of stalking and initially refused bail.
After a court appearance on 1 April at the Parramatta Local Court, where he was granted bail, further complications arose when police could not verify his Bondi address, leading to a re-arrest for breach of bail conditions.
Legal Proceedings and Court Orders
After discovering the falsity of the Bondi address, police re-arrested the man on 2 April. A magistrate at Waverley Local Court deemed that a breach of bail had occurred, remanding the man in custody. The court postponed the man’s future court dates for the stalking charges pending a mental health assessment.
In addition to the charges, the police have applied for an apprehended personal violence order (APVO) for Mr Johns’ protection. The conditions of the APVO, which the alleged stalker faced in court, include prohibitions against assaulting, threatening, harassing, or contacting Mr Johns.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings and the personal distress caused by the alleged stalking, Andrew Johns has maintained his public role as a commentator for Channel 9. His appearance on the network’s NRL coverage has continued without disruption.
Published 16-April-2024