David William Wonnocott was ordered by the court to stay away from Brittany Higgins

A man accused of making death threats online has been ordered to stay away from former political aide Brittany Higgins and her fiancé.

David William Wonnocott, 49, appeared before a court in northern New South Wales on Wednesday for the first time since his arrest in April over threats of violence on social media.

A condition of his release on bail is that he must not be with Ms Higgins or her fiancé, David Sharaz, or have any contact except through a lawyer.

Wonnocott is charged with using carriage service to threaten killing on April 11, 2022 and using carriage service to threaten, harass or insult between July 2022 and February.

The Banora Point man also faces separate charges for using a carriage service to threaten, harass or insult January 9.

David William Wonnocott, 49, appeared before a court in northern New South Wales on Wednesday for the first time since his arrest in April over threats of violence on social media

A condition of Mr Wonnocott’s release on bail is that he must not be with Ms Higgins or her fiancé David Sharaz (pictured with dog Kingston) or have any contact, except through a lawyer

His bail conditions in relation to these charges say he can only contact or contact NSW MP Alexander Greenwich through a solicitor.

Wonnocott was arrested on the latest charges just after midnight on February 25, the morning of Sydney Mardi Gras.

He was released on bail with conditions including a ban from attending Mardi Gras or being in the Sydney CBD and a curfew from 4pm to 11:30pm that day.

Wonnocott has a criminal history, mostly related to intimidation and threats against members of minority groups via social media, police court documents said.

“His posts relate to hatred towards members of these groups and the public.”

Police said Wonnocott’s threats were real and being taken seriously.

“There is a serious risk that he may actually attempt to carry out a threat of violence in the near future.”

Police have records of Wonnocott’s posts, device data and victim statements related to threats and intimidation.

“Police believe he is associated with far-right thought groups with radical views who practice and advocate violence against members of certain minority groups,” the documents said.

A man accused of making death threats online has been ordered to stay away from former political staffer Brittany Higgins and her fiancé (pictured with us).

Wonnocott has a criminal history, mostly related to intimidation and threats against members of minority groups via social media, police court documents said

NSW Police said investigators began investigating in February “after receiving information via a social media platform about threats of violence against participants at a mass gathering”.

“Investigators uncovered a total of 49 messages containing similar threats or offensive content sent from a number of accounts believed to be linked,” police said.

“One of the accounts was also linked to messages sent on social media to a man in the ACT allegedly threatening to kill the man, his partner and their dog.”

The targets were not named.

Ms Higgins was heavily snubbed on social media after she went public with allegations that she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House while she was working for a Liberal Senator in 2019.

Wonnocott appeared before Tweed Heads Magistrates’ Court, where Judge Geoff Dunlevy said a guilty plea had been entered in relation to the only charge against Mr Greenwich.

When asked outside of court what he would do in the future, he replied with a smile: “Behave yourself.”

In court, Wonnocott said he knew neither Ms Higgins nor Mr Sharaz (both pictured)

That case is due to be heard again in the same court on July 24, when Wonnocott – the sole carer of his elderly parents – is not required to appear when he is legally represented.

Outside the court, Wonnocott said he knew neither Ms Higgins nor Mr Sharaz.

When asked what he would do in the future, he replied with a smile: “Behave yourself.”

In 2021, former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann was charged with sexually assaulting Ms Higgins and pleaded not guilty.

A trial before the ACT Supreme Court was aborted due to jury misconduct.

The charges against him were later dropped over concerns about the impact of a second trial on Ms Higgins’ mental health.

Mr. Lehrmann denies raping Ms. Higgins.

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