An Oak Flats man has admitted he followed two 13-year-old girls as they walked home from a night at the movies, chasing them until they cried out for help and sought refuge at a local business.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With a skull-and-teeth mask draped around his neck, Leon Gene Simpson pursued the girls even after they hid in fear in bushes. But it was he who was eventually chased into hiding, arrested by police as he ran into a nearby creek.
The girls first crossed paths with the 37-year-old as they went to walk home from Greater Union Cinema at Shellharbour about 9pm on April 18.
He changed direction to start following them from a set of pedestrian traffic lights on Lake Entrance Road.
The girls picked up their pace and cut through a petrol station car park in an effort to lose him. They hid in a small bush at the McDonald Jones business, only for Simpson to walk past a few moments later and tell them, "you don't need to be scared of me".
The girls replied, "we just watched a horror movie and are a little bit scared".
The girls continued walking westward and saw Simpson turning back. But they became fearful when he appeared behind them again on the opposite side of Lake Entrance Road, apparently having only pretended to walk away.
The girls started running, and dialed 000 as Simpson also gave chase.
They were crying out for help as they approached the Enhance Service Station and were escorted inside by an attendant, who then locked the doors behind them.
Simpson ran past the service station moments later before returning and asking the attendant what the problem was.
He ran from the area when police arrived. He had discarded his shirt when officers arrested him in a nearby creek and was carrying a garden hatchet and an ice pipe in his backpack.
Polcie described him as agressive and behaving erratically. They also found him with a mask with a white cartoon skull jaw with sharp teeth.
Simpson pleaded guilty to stalk/intimidate and other charges in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday. He will return to court for sentencing at a later date.
Do you have a story or news tip to share? Email us on cos@illawarramercury.com.au
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
