Arabic version: رفض الإفراج بكفالة عن رجل على خلفية تهديدات مزعومة لميشيل باين

According to ABC News, Werribee man Craig Langford, 51, has been denied bail after being accused of sending violent death threats and sexualised abuse to Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne through Instagram messages last week.

The Wyndham Magistrates Court heard Langford allegedly sent the messages over three days while on bail for other alleged offending. Prosecutors said they had grave concerns for Payne’s physical safety and mental health, and told the court she was a well-known public figure who could be easily tracked and located.

Police allegedly seized Langford’s mobile phone during a raid at the Werribee home where he had been living with his mother and stepfather. The court heard Langford denied sending the messages after his arrest and said he did not use Instagram. Detectives did not know the alleged motive, and the court heard he did not know Payne personally.

His lawyer said Langford would have little access to a computer or smartphone if released and that his stepfather would report any breach of bail conditions. The magistrate nevertheless found he posed an unacceptable risk to the community and remanded him in custody. Payne, who became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup when she rode Prince of Penzance in 2015, said the alleged violence described in the messages was unimaginable. Langford is due to return to court next month.