VIC: Canadian actress applies for order against Australian

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-1999
VIC: Canadian actress applies for order against Australian

By Catherine Chisholm

MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - A Canadian television star has applied to an Australian court for
an order to stop a Melbourne man stalking her, in what is believed to be a first.

Sara Ballingall, of Toronto, starred in the Canadian television show Degrassi High from
1986 to 1991. It screened here on ABC.

Ms Ballingall, now in her 20s, has accused Brian Sutcliffe, of Brighton, in Melbourne's
south, of stalking her through e-mail, mail and the telephone over the last six years,
Melbourne Magistrates Court was told.

Senior Constable Mark Higginbotham, prosecuting, said Ms Ballingall complained to police
in Toronto and they contacted Australian police who applied for an interim intervention order
last week which was granted.

Ms Ballingall's action is believed to be the first such trans-national stalking case ever
mounted in Australia.

Sutcliffe told the court today he had sent her a Degrassi High book he wanted her to sign.

When the book was returned unsigned he sent it back to Ms Ballingall with a toy koala and
said she would have to send it back if she did not sign the book.

The court heard the toy was destroyed by the Canadian bomb squad.

He also sent her a letter saying she would be in trouble if she did not sign the book, the
court heard.

During that time, the court was told he also found her home telephone number and sent her
presents.

Sutcliffe denies stalking the Canadian actress.

As part of the order police seized 74 firearms from Sutcliffe's flat, Sen Const Higginbotham
said.

These included pistols, shotguns, rifles and a detonation device, the court heard.

Sutcliffe faces stalking and firearm charges.

Magistrate William Gibb granted the interim order and said the matter would return to court
on October 27 for a hearing into whether a full order should be granted.

AAP cmc/jlw/ah

KEYWORD: SUTCLIFFE

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