Relentless stalker’s ‘pathological pig’ personality drove offending against young teacher

He also used artificial intelligence to create images of her singing and interacting with him as if they were in a romantic relationship.

The files and photos found on his phone included a “manifesto-type” declaration that demonstrated “the evil and villainous nature of his intent in offending”, the prosecution said.

Harlock pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including stalking and distribution and possession of child abuse material.

Magistrate Gerard Bryant said while Harlock’s mental health conditions provided a context for offending, it in no way justified it.

“Many aspects of your offending, as I have noted previously, are deeply concerning and confronting, and I don’t think it’s trite to say that there were periods when you were terrorising both individuals and the communities in which you resided,” he said.

“Your descent into unmanaged or uncontrolled mental health was deeply concerning.”

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In a victim impact statement to the court, the young teacher said she felt like her life had been “torn apart” by Harlock’s offending.

“He has created a fantasy to please himself at my expense,” she said.

The court heard she had struggled with self-doubt, considered leaving her profession and was left feeling violated, vulnerable and psychologically distressed.

“Your relentless stalking of this innocent teacher in the south-west of Victoria was an example of what can only be described as an obsessive and fixated pursuit where you had ignored all the objective signs that she had no interest in you,” Bryant said.

“The victim describes constantly cycling feelings of anger, hurt, fear and frustration.

“Still to this day, it appears, she is struggling with why it was that you targeted her in particular.”

Bryant said after reading all the material from treating psychiatrists, he believed Harlock’s moral culpability was “significantly diminished” by the existence of a series of complex mental health disorders.

He sentenced Harlock to six months’ imprisonment, with 124 days already served, and an 18-month community corrections order.

The magistrate said forensic care reports indicated Harlock was not a high risk of reoffending if given the appropriate treatment and correct supports in the community upon his release.

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