Millbridge man Adriel Stanko accused of assaulting and stalking woman

A Millbridge man has appeared in court for the first time, accused of assaulting and stalking a woman, including allegedly using tracking devices on her. Adriel Ryan Richard James Stanko appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday, accused of four counts of unlawful assault, persistently engaging in family violence, pursuing another to intimidate, unlawful use of a tracking device, and using a listening device to record, monitor or listen to a private conversation whilst not a party. It was alleged the majority of Mr Stanko’s offending took place in Millbridge between January and October against the same woman. It was understood Mr Stanko was previously granted bail that required him to report to police two days a week, along with protective conditions for the complainant. Mr Stanko appeared in court again on December 6 without legal representation for a bail variation, which he had applied for earlier in the month. The man had applied for a job and requested an amendment to his bail conditions to account for the potential employment. However, he told the court on Monday the opportunity had fallen through and he had appeared to withdraw the bail variation application. The charges were adjourned to January 13 for Mr Stanko to obtain legal advice. The maximum penalty for stalking is three years in prison, while unlawfully using a tracking device without consent carries a maximum penalty of a $5000 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment.