A case involving the alleged online harassment of a woman on Facebook will focus on legal arguments around the definition of a ‘carriage service’, a Sydney court has heard.
Zane Alchin, a 25-year-old Caringbah man, was charged by police in late 2015 after the online shaming of a woman in relation to a quotation published on her Tinder profile spilled into threats of violence against her and her friends in a series of Facebook comments.
Mr Alchin was subsequently charged with using a carriage service to “menace, harass or offend” after one of the women provided a statement to NSW Police.
At a police mention in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court today, Mr Alchin’s lawyer indicated the case would focus on legal arguments around that charge, and the definition of a carriage service. Magistrate Ellen Skinner declined Mr Alchin’s lawyer a further adjournment to the matter.
At an initial court date, Mr Alchin’s lawyer said his client was likely to plead guilty to the charges, however a plea of not-guilty was later entered.
In March, police and Mr Alchin’s defence team indicated a number of witnesses would be called, though it remains unclear who the latter will rely upon to make their case. At today’s mention, his lawyer told Magistrate Skinner that the defence was still dealing with its experts.
Documents filed with the Court, and seen by New Matilda, reveal two officers will give evidence in relation to the matter, with the defence team indicating they should be made available for cross-examination. Statements have also been collected from the alleged victim, Paloma Brierley Newton, and another expert witness.
Magistrate Skinner today set a hearing date of June 20.
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