A South Australian man has been sentenced to community service after sending a highly offensive email to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, just hours after the tragic death of his son. The incident, which has shocked the local community, underscores the challenges of managing grief in the public eye.
Robert James Angus, 36, from Millicent, was convicted in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday. He was found guilty of using a carriage service in a harassing or offensive manner, following an email he sent on November 18, 2023, to Mr. Stevens’s personal South Australian Police email account. The email contained just three words: “Sucked in c***.”
Tragic Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Charlie Stevens, the 18-year-old son of Commissioner Stevens, was struck by a vehicle in Goolwa on the night of November 17, 2023. He succumbed to his injuries at 7 PM the following day in Adelaide. The driver involved in the incident fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities.
Angus, a married father of four, sent the offensive email shortly after hearing about Charlie’s death through media reports. The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) described the email as an “expression of enjoyment and derision” towards the commissioner’s grief.
Magistrate’s Condemnation
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos, presiding over the case, emphasized the deliberate timing of Angus’s actions, which were intended to cause maximum distress. “It is submitted that the hypothetical reasonable person would be shocked, outraged, and disgusted at your behavior,” she stated.
“More importantly, this is what the commissioner has said in relation to being subjected to your email: he found the offending to be abhorrent, deeply offensive, and cruel.”
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Angus showed no remorse during his police interview, questioning why his actions were being investigated. When asked about his motivation, he simply replied, “Because you could.”
Mental Health Considerations and Sentencing
The court heard that since the incident, Angus had apologized to Commissioner Stevens in a letter. He has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and impulsive aggressive disorder, conditions which the magistrate acknowledged contributed to his actions but did not excuse them.
“I find that his moral culpability for the offence is partially reduced, but there is a need for general and personal deterrence,” Magistrate Kossiavelos remarked. Angus’s lawyer argued for a lenient sentence, citing his mental health conditions and the fact that his last criminal conviction was in 2008.
Ultimately, the court ordered Angus to complete 150 hours of community service within 12 months and to pay prosecution costs of $512. Magistrate Kossiavelos noted, “Reasonable persons would all find that what you did on November 18, 2023, was very offensive. It was probably at the higher end of the scale of what offensive can actually be in all the circumstances.”
Broader Implications
This case highlights the intersection of mental health issues and legal accountability, raising questions about how the justice system should handle similar offenses. The sentence reflects a balance between acknowledging mental health challenges and upholding societal norms against harassment.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the impact of words, particularly in moments of profound personal grief. It underscores the need for empathy and understanding, especially when public figures are involved.
Looking Ahead
As the community processes this incident, it remains to be seen how it will influence future legal proceedings involving offensive communications. The case may prompt discussions about the adequacy of current laws in addressing digital harassment and the role of mental health in legal defenses.
Meanwhile, the Stevens family continues to mourn the loss of Charlie, as they navigate the complex emotions of grief compounded by public scrutiny. The community’s response to this tragic event may pave the way for more supportive measures for those in the public eye dealing with personal loss.
