An ex-Australian Olympian has pleaded guilty to harassing his former partner in Melbourne last year.
Gary Neiwand, 56, appeared before Broadmeadows Magistrates Court today, where he pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
The court heard over a period of two days in July, Neiwand bombarded his victim with dozens of phone calls, emails and messages from social media accounts.
The defence told the court Neiwand attempted to make contact because he was worried about the victim’s mental health after breaking up with the woman because he had been seeing someone else.
His victim, who remains anonymous, told 9News that it was three days of “absolute hell”.
“It’s not fair,” the victim said.
“I knew he had a past, but I thought the better of it. I thought he was a changed man and it wouldn’t happen to me.”
The 56-year-old is a four-time track cycling Olympian who won medals in three of the four Games he participated in.
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He also won three Commonwealth Games gold medals.
Neiwand was previously sentenced to 18 months for stalking a former girlfriend and four other people in 2006. He has also previously breached a court order.
Six years later, he was convicted and given a two-year good behaviour bond after admitting he flashed two women. He was then spared jail time.
The court heard the father of two lives with his parents and has a good relationship with his kids.
The former Olympian also faced a stalking charge but that was dropped.
Neiwand will reappear for sentencing in September.
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