An Adelaide man who stalked multiple women he met on social media and dating apps over a nine-year period has pleaded guilty to more than 20 stalking charges.
Sean Ian Bruce Flintoff, 36, appeared from custody in Elizabeth Magistrates Court via video link this morning.
His lawyer, Nick Vadasz, said a relationship breakdown around 2009 had possibly led to "problems with respect to the offending".
"[The] relationship broke up when he came home to find his partner in bed with a friend," Mr Vadasz said.
His lawyer said a DNA test later confirmed that a girl born during the relationship was not his daughter.
"A significant number of the ladies involved were in a relationship with him either short-term or longer," Mr Vadasz said.
'Serious issue with women': magistrate
Magistrate Mark Semmens said Flintoff had a "serious issue with women" and it was deeply concerning.
"He sent sex workers to people's houses, he sent items which have not been asked for, he sent pizzas to people's houses and multiple text messages writing on the victim's car the word 'slut' and 'I'm a slut'," Mr Semmens said.
The court previously heard Flintoff targeted women predominantly in their 30s he met on dating apps and social media.
Police also alleged they found mail containing various women's names at his house.
Flintoff was first arrested in August and charged with stalking and property damage but after appearing in media reports, more victims came forward.
Court told Flintoff had difficult upbringing
Mr Vadasz said in his submissions to the court that Flintoff had a difficult upbringing.
"[His] parents separated when he was 10, [he had a] total of eight siblings in the family," he said.
"[His] mother has long-term mental health issues, depression, alcohol abuse [she] moved around a fair bit and abandoned the family from time to time."
Mr Vadasz said his client was yet to receive a psychiatric evaluation and submitted that the balance of his sentence should be suspended after spending almost 11 months in custody.
"I understand the prosecution is not opposed to any further sentence being served in the community," Mr Vadasz said.
But Mr Semmens responded: "That may be their view but it's not mine."
The matter returns to court in September.
