A Perth man who took legal highs before threatening to kidnap, rape and kill a nurse in a series of text and voice messages has been jailed for seven months.
In some of the messages, Robert Garrick, 35, of Gowrie Street, declared his undying love for the woman.
However, other messages became more chilling as Garrick threatened to kidnap and rape her, and also warned that he would kill other people who worked at Perth’s Murray Royal Hospital.
The nursing assistant had been specifically assigned to help the accused with his difficulties.
She had taken her works phone home and discovered 40 messages before she went to bed that night.
The woman did not listen to all of the messages and overnight she received a further 20 messages from Garrick.
Solicitor Linda Clark said her client was taking legal highs that caused his mental state to fluctuate drastically.
When questioned by police Garrick did not think he had done anything wrong and could not remember phoning the complainer.
Perth Sheriff Court yesterday heard that Garrick’s substance abuse had started when he was 11 years old and had grown to include cannabis, cocaine, and NPS (new psychoactive substances).
During the calls, Garrick had become convinced that the woman was talking to him and telling him that she loved him.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said Garrick had six previous convictions for assault and seven for breach of the peace.
He told Garrick: “If you didn’t take illegal substances then I suggest you wouldn’t appear before this court.”
Garrick admitted sending the threatening messages to the woman on November 11 and 12.
He pled guilty to repeatedly sending text and voice messages where he swore, threatened to kidnap the woman, kill and rape her and kill other people.
He also admitted that on April 30 at Fleshers Vennel, Perth, he was in possession of a metal bar.