Stalker’s obsession with radio host Jackie O explained
A mentally ill man believed he was in a delusional relationship with radio presenter Jackie O, who sent him hundreds of messages before sneaking out of his home.
David Gourlay bombarded the broadcaster with up to 2,000 direct messages on Instagram over five months; many of these were posted back-to-back and reflected personal information.
Although he had never met the radio host, whose real name is Jacqueline Henderson, the 38-year-old wrote as if they had a previous relationship and had a child together.
He swore on July 3, “I am not giving up on us.”
The Kyle & Jackie O Show co-host did not respond to any of the messages crudely detailing Gourlay’s sexual fantasies about her.
The pursuit escalated further when Gourlay sent a bouquet of flowers to her home with the name ‘Jackie Anderson’ mistakenly written on it.
Police found him sitting on a bench outside the radio presenter’s home in Sydney’s east and detained him before conducting a mental health assessment.
Gourlay had delusions that she was in a relationship with Henderson, who has been diagnosed with bipolar and schizoaffective disorder, her lawyer told Sydney Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday.
“He is struggling with a pretty significant mental health issue,” Trudie Cameron said at her client’s sentencing.
He said he was not adhering to his medication and reported to Henderson that he was experiencing paranoia and hallucinations before sending a barrage of messages.
The court was told that the expert report revealed a direct relationship between Gourlay’s mental health and the crime as his actions were motivated by his delusion.
“When he is on medication and well, he is a productive member of society,” Ms Cameron told the court.
He pressed for Gourlay to serve his sentence in the community, citing genuine remorse for the crimes and insight into the fear it might have caused Henderson.
But the prosecutor pushed for the 38-year-old to be jailed for the “disgusting” sexual messages in a bid to send a message to the community.
Deputy Chief Justice Theo Tsavdaridis acknowledged that the facts did not make for pleasant reading, pointing to the overly sexualized nature of some of the letters.
“The messages were targeted, unsolicited and incessant,” he said.
He said Henderson rightfully feared for his family’s safety when a stranger showed up near his home after bombarding him with messages.
Mr Tsavdaridis said Gourlay had an extensive criminal record and was serving two sentences at the time.
He sentenced Gourlay to 16 months in prison, with a minimum of eight months behind bars.
The 38-year-old will be eligible for parole in March after his term expires.
The five-year anti-violence arrest warrant prohibits him from approaching Henderson or contacting her except through an attorney.
The order, which expires in 2030, prohibits Gourlay from assaulting, threatening, stalking or harassing the radio presenter or anyone with whom he has a domestic relationship.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
