By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A deluded Narre Warren South man has pleaded guilty to stalking a South-East-based police officer that he believed was his wife.
As part of an “unhealthy obsession”, Javed Sarwari, 33, insisted that he had been married to the officer for many years despite them not knowing each other, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard on 18 June.
Sawari allegedly told a close relative that he met and fell in love with the officer while he was a “secret agent” 10 years ago, a police summary stated.
Over several months last year, Sarwari attended the officer’s police station requesting to see her.
On one occasion, she called him after he left a message at the station. He asked her questions about whether she had children and claimed that he knew her.
Another time, he asked an officer for the victim’s marital status, her home address and mobile number.
Two weeks later, he requested her roster times.
When confronted about his delusion by close relatives, he became angry and assaulted them at their home.
He flung a glass candle holder which cut a female’s hand and shattered on the floor.
Despite an interim intervention order, he was arrested loitering near the police station ahead of the officer’s shift on 27 September.
In his car were flowers, a love poem seemingly addressed to the officer and a $1799 diamond ring.
According to police, his behaviour caused mental harm to the officer. It drove her into a “state of apprehension and fear” for her and her family’s safety.
During Sarwari’s 296 days in remand, he was medicated and had “stabilised”, defence lawyer Lachlan Hocking said.
Sarwari had “peace of mind”, was “sleeping a lot better” and “intends to keep taking the medication”, Mr Hocking said.
He was to be supervised by relatives, who would ensure he remained medicated, the court heard.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said before releasing Sarwari, he needed to be satisfied there were systems in place for him.
He noted a psychiatric report had found there was a “reduction in the intensity of the delusional beliefs”.
“How do you manage this risk to the community when he still holds onto these thoughts?” Mr Vandersteen said.
“Even after being in custody for 10 months his progress has not been remarkable. It has been very slow.”
Mr Hocking said Sarwari’s tendency to “follow through” the delusion had changed since starting treatment in April.
“(Before then) there had been many months when he was completely unmedicated and unhinged.”
Mr Vandersteen said Sarwari had “done the right thing” by pleading guilty, despite a mental impairment defence being available.
The custody period was “significant” given Sarwari’s limited criminal history.
Mr Vandersteen said he would still consider a community corrections order as part of supervising Sarwari in the community.
Sarwari was remanded for sentencing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 19 June.
