Video threats sent to Stan Grant were exposed

A man charged with threatening ABC TV host Stan Grant has uploaded a video to social media in which he allegedly berated the Indigenous journalist – two days before he resigned as Q+A host.

Michael Steven Davis appeared at Fairfield Magistrates’ Court in south-west Sydney on Wednesday and was charged with three counts of using a carriage to threaten and threaten to cause serious bodily harm, harass or insult.

In one case, he was also accused of using a carriage service to threaten serious bodily harm.

In addition, the 41-year-old is the subject of a restraining order for use of force issued by police on Grant’s behalf and filed at Downing Center Magistrates’ Court.

It is now known that on May 22 Davis uploaded two allegedly offensive videos in which he addressed Grant directly.

In one, he said, “This is a message for my husband, Stan Grant, that idiot.”

Michael Steven Davis (pictured) is said to have threatened ABC host Stan Grant in online videos

Grant said he received online threats to police on May 23 and was seen with his wife Tracey Holmes at Randwick police station in Sydney’s east the next day

“Buddy if I see you on the fucking street you call my fucking people scum I’m gonna beat you to death you piece of fucking shit,” he reportedly said.

In another video posted to Twitter, Davis appeared furious as he reportedly said, ‘I’m coming to fuck you — you racist piece of shit, I’m going to fuck you up.’

Two days later, on May 24, Davis livestreamed the moments before his arrest – as he talked about doing “nothing wrong” and blaming left-wing ideologies for his impending arrest.

“I’m running home now because apparently the police are at my house,” he told viewers.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but if I’m going to take a guess, someone – some left-wing idiot – just freaked out and they had a bad moment because I said something they said.” I like it not.’

“These are bloody hurt people just because I tried Stan Grant?” I just told him, “If I see you on the street, I’ll try you.”

Davis, who describes himself as a “right-wing Christian” on social media, then reportedly said of Grant, “You’re a celebrity, you deserve whatever you get.”

When he got home, the police were waiting outside.

When Davis got home on May 24, police were waiting outside with his wife Katia (pictured).

The officer said, “You are under arrest for making threats against Stan Grant.”

Davis replied, “No, no, I just said if I see him on the street I’ll try.”

The officer interrupted, “You’re under arrest for….”

Davis cut him off and said, “No, I’m not,” to which the officer replied, “Yes, you do.”

The police then tried to steal Davis’ phone, after which his wife, Katia Davis, began crying to her husband, “I told you this was going to happen.”

During his brief appearance before Fairfield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Davis repeatedly narrowed his eyes.

He was represented by attorney Peter Mitchell, who said his client suffered from anxiety.

Grant said he received online threats to police on May 23 and was seen with him Wife Tracey Holmes visits Randwick Police Station SydneyThe next day is east.

The couple arrived around 1.50pm and stayed inside for around an hour before Grant exited the building, followed by Holmes around 15 minutes later.

Davis was arrested the same day and released on bail after indictment.

The terms of the bail provide that Davis Grant or Holmes may not attack, threaten, stalk, harass or intimidate, destroy or damage their property, or harm an animal owned by them.

Michael Steven Davis is pictured left with his attorney Wednesday at Fairfield Magistrates Court

He must not approach Grant or Holmes or contact them in any way, including through social media, and must not attempt to locate the couple.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said officers from the Sydney City Police Area Command received a report around 11.50am on May 23 alleging online threats against Grant.

“Police have launched an investigation into the incident,” she said. “Following an investigation, police arrested a 41-year-old man at 6:40 p.m. in Fairfield Heights [on May 24].

“The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with threatening to use the carriage to cause serious harm and using the carriage to threaten, harass or insult.”

Grant announced on May 19 that he would be stepping down from hosting ABC’s flagship panel discussion show after just ten months in the role.

The 59-year-old said he was taking furlough after being exposed to “relentless racial filth”. He accused the ABC of “institutional failure” and claimed that no one in senior management had offered him public support.

Grant hosted his final Q+A episode on May 22, in which he told the audience, “I’m down right now…but I’ll get back up.”

“I had to learn that endurance doesn’t always equal strength,” he said.

“Sometimes the strength lies in knowing when to say stop. And to everyone who sent messages of support – thank you. But I am fine.’

In addition, Grant has pulled out of a lecture in Cairns after police warned him it could be dangerous for him to attend.

Instead, he will be delivering his keynote presentation via video link.

Grant said racial slurs against him had increased since he appeared in ABC coverage of King Charles’ coronation earlier this month.

This show was widely criticized by viewers for focusing on England’s colonial past and questioning the role of the monarchy.

Stan Grant (pictured) stepped down as moderator of Q+A last week after just ten months in that role

“All I would say to those who have abused me and my family is if your goal was to hurt me, then you did it,” Grant said on his final night as the show’s host;

‘And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for giving you so much cause to hate me so much, to target me and my family, and to make threats against me.

“I’m on the ground right now. I am. But I’ll get up again. And you can come to me again, and I will meet you with the love of my people.

“My people can teach the world love.” As Martin Luther King Jr. said of his struggle, “We will wear you down with our ability to love everyone.”

However, Grant also said that he didn’t walk away because of racism or hate on social media, but because of a general dissatisfaction with the media.

“I need a break from the media.” I feel like I’m part of the problem. And I have to ask myself how or if we can do better.”

Grant finished by thanking his family, speaking a few words in his native language, Wiradjuri, and then saying a simple “good night”.

Earlier that day, hundreds of ABC employees across the country walked out of their offices in solidarity with Grant.

Holmes joined the Sydney protest along with her husband’s ex-wife, SBS journalist Karla Grant, and his daughter, NITV journalist Lowanna Grant.

Dozens of ABC employees also gathered outside Parliament House in Canberra and the national broadcaster’s Southbank base in Melbourne.

Lowanna Grant got emotional as she told the Sydney crowd the toll her father’s abuse had taken on her entire family.

“It’s really hard to see him struggling and dealing with the racism and the disgusting filth on the internet,” she said.

“I’m so grateful to everyone here today who is supporting him, and not just my father, but all other First Nation journalists.”

Karla Grant told the Sydney audience that racial abuse is an ongoing problem for Indigenous reporters and their family.

“It’s an accumulation of years of racism that our people have faced,” she said.

“Enough is enough and we must take a stand.”

Davis’ case was adjourned to Downing Center Magistrates’ Court on August 22.