“Nothing wrong with writing 300 poems”: Delta Goodrem stalker defends actions
A man has been convicted of stalking after he went to Delta Goodrem’s home five times in one day and sent her 300 love poems.
James Joseph Lafferty, 47, on Tuesday pleaded guilty in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court to three charges including stalking and intimidation, using a carriage service to harass, menace or offend, and failing to comply with a police direction.
The Grafton man went to Goodrem’s Sydney CBD apartment on February 14 and attempted to leave a Valentine’s Day gift but was blocked by the concierge. The Grafton man returned four more times that day.
On February 15, the Voice judge went down to the concierge desk to pick up a dress when Lafferty walked past and called out “Delta, Delta”.
He then sent messages to Goodrem’s Instagram account including “I’m here”, “please come down and meet me”, and “I’m at concierge”. Police were called and Lafferty was arrested outside the building.
He reportedly told police he had sent the singer 300 poems in the lead up to Valentine’s Day and said, “You’d think she’d at least reply”.
Lafferty told the court that Goodrem’s “address is on Google anyway”.
Legal Aid lawyer Richard Ikaafu said father-of-three Lafferty did not at any point threaten Goodrem’s welfare or safety.
Magistrate Jane Mottley noted Lafferty’s previous convictions dating back to 1991 for aggravated break and enter whilst armed, drug possession, damage of property, trespass, drink driving, intimidation and, in January last year, assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Lafferty was placed on an 18-month community corrections order and fined $600. He was also ordered to stay away from Goodrem’s home.
Following his sentencing, Lafferty told reporters there’s “nothing wrong with writing 300 poems to somebody” before adding, “It’s better than a sleazy one-liner in a nightclub, isn’t it?”