Photographer Acacia Mardiana Daud, 31, said the accused bombarded her with messages via X and Instagram, among others, for eight years since 2016.

She added that she was traumatised by the messages and lodged police reports in Dang Wangi and Damansara.

“I was in a state of fear and worried for my safety. I was also reluctant to leave my home (in Shah Alam) due to the constant harassment,” the victim said in her testimony given online.

Three of the messages allegedly sent by the accused, Safiq Rosli, in July last year, were read in court.

Questioned by deputy public prosecutor Zilfinaz Abbas, Acacia said she took screenshots of the messages on her mobile phone and later gave them to the police.

Although the alleged harassment began in 2016, the accused was charged only after a law on stalking came into effect on May 31 last year.

Defence counsel Fithril Hakim Ab Jalil did not cross-examine Acacia.

The defence is relying on a doctor’s report that said Safiq was of unsound mind when the offence was committed.

Safiq was charged for sending three messages on X (formerly Twitter) between 1.40am on July 15 and 5.58pm on July 21 last year despite knowing that his actions would likely cause distress or fear to Acacia.

He is the first person charged under Section 507A(1) of the Penal Code, which makes stalking, whether carried out virtually or otherwise, an offence punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

He has been in custody since August as he was unable to post the RM20,000 bail previously set by the court.

Lawyer Jason Wee is holding a watching brief for Acacia.

The hearing before magistrate Sasha Diana Sabtu continues.

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