Robert John Cameron: One year and four months for threatening messages and intimate image distribution

A Perth man and former Albany resident in his 40s has been jailed for sending threatening and abusive messages to his 19-year-old ex-partner, who he also doxed, as well as sending an illicit image of her to her brother. Robert John Cameron, 42, appeared via video link from Casaurina Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday on three charges including aggravated pursuit with intent to intimidate, aggravated threat to kill, and distribution of intimate images without consent. Police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield told the court Cameron sent 159 abusive and threatening texts and voicemails to his 19-year-old ex, threatening to kill her in violent and graphic ways. He also sent an intimate photo of her to her brother without her consent, and placed an advertisement online with her name, photo, and contact details that said she was seeking sexual partners. In one of the texts, Cameron said his actions towards her would be so violent they would be worthy of a documentary. Some of his threats included getting two women to jump on her face, pouring fuel on her, and setting her on fire. Cameron was arrested in December. In an interview with police, he denied stalking the victim or sending the illicit photo. Sgt Hartfield said the victim was repeatedly targeted and threatened. Cameron’s defence lawyer Tony Hager said his client had spent 121 days in prison, and while a psychological report said he had not been drinking, his client said he was heavily intoxicated at the time. Mr Hager said the offending escalated when the victim withdrew from the relationship, and said the misconduct by his client was “confused and unstable”. Mr Hager said his client wished to apologise to the victim and regretted his behaviour that had “crossed a line”. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said Cameron’s behaviour was “abhorrent” and nothing could sufficiently describe the seriousness of the offences. “Nothing what you did was an expression of love,” she said. Cameron was sentenced to one year and four months imprisonment, backdated to December 13, and will be eligible for parole after serving eight months. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.