UPDATE: A Batemans Bay electrician, Shannon Matthew Stokes, has been fined $5,800 after pleading guilty to serious charges of stalking and drug-driving in a dramatic court session on December 15, 2023. This urgent development comes as Stokes faces escalating legal troubles, having accumulated a troubling record of convictions.
In a decisive ruling at Batemans Bay Local Court, magistrate Doug Dick condemned Stokes for sending 38 threatening messages to his victim between May 10 and June 13. Some of these messages included disturbing threats of suicide, highlighting the severe emotional toll on the victim.
Stokes’ attorney, Wayne Boom, acknowledged his client’s culpability but argued for leniency, stating that one breach of the court’s apprehended violence order (AVO) was due to the victim contacting him first. However, magistrate Dick was firm in his judgment, emphasizing that repeated offenses indicate a pattern of behavior rather than isolated mistakes.
Adding to his legal troubles, Stokes was also charged with driving under the influence of drugs, specifically methamphetamine and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component of cannabis. On September 5, police intercepted Stokes while he was driving his red Mustang for an unrelated matter and conducted a roadside drug test, leading to this second drug-driving conviction in just two days.
Mr. Boom argued that the positive test result could have stemmed from the earlier incident, but magistrate Dick was not swayed. “You have had DUIs in the past,” he stated, referencing Stokes’ previous offenses in 2012 and 2019. The court imposed a 12-month driving disqualification alongside the financial penalties, designed to have a significant impact on Stokes’ business operations.
For the drug-driving offense, Stokes received a fine of $1,800. He was also fined $1,500 for each of the three counts of violating the AVO, $1,500 for the two stalking charges, and $1,000 for using a communication service to harass.
Magistrate Dick concluded his remarks with a stern warning: “Making the same mistake twice isn’t a mistake, it’s a decision.” The implications of this ruling extend beyond legal consequences, as Stokes, who runs a significant business, risks further deterioration in his career should he fail to address his issues with illicit drugs.
As this case unfolds, the community watches closely, raising concerns about safety and accountability. Legal experts indicate that Stokes’ ongoing legal issues could have lasting repercussions, not only for him but also for the victim and the broader Batemans Bay community.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
