An Essendon fan has faced Ringwood Magistrates Court after sending profound messages to Richmond defender Dylan Grimes on social media in August, perย Fox Sports.
Grimes was left fearing for his family's safety after receiving hateful messages following his side's clash with the Bombers in Darwin for the annual Dreamtime fixture.
Andrew Alexander had been charged with stalking and using a carriage service to harass, but has avoided conviction if he remains on good behaviour for six months, writes a letter of apology and donates $1,000 to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Police revealed the "passionate Essendon supporter" had sent emails subjected "umpiring against Essendon" when intoxicated.
Alexander wrote that Grimes was "f***ing dead" within an email and had also sent abuse to Grimes' owned business online.
Magistrate David Starvaggi labeled Alexander's actions as "repugnant, repulsive and abhorrent" and said that people suffer mentally from โtorrents of abuse on social mediaโ.
Grimes was also abused by a man from Frankston, who will appear in court in May.
