Police have dropped charges against a Friendlyjordies producer who was arrested and accused of stalking former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, resulting in a five-figure payout.
Kristo Langker, 22, was dramatically arrested at his Dulwich Hill home in June and charged with two counts of stalking or intimidating Mr Barilaro with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm.
NSW Police alleged the producer had stalked and intimidated the former deputy premier on two occasions.
They claimed Mr Langker stalked him at Macquarie University in April last year and after the funeral for rugby league great Bob Fulton in Sydney’s CBD on June 4.
Footage from both interactions were recorded for the Friendlyjordies YouTube channel.
During the interaction in June, Mr Langker approached Mr Barilaro while he was on the phone.
Mr Barilaro did not acknowledge the younger man asxjmtzyw he told him: “I’ve got something for you, John, I’ve got a lawsuit, you’re suing my boss”.
The former deputy premier ignored Mr Langker as he got into his car.
“John, John, John,” the 22-year-old continued as Mr Barilaro drove away.
Mr Langker was arrested in dramatic scenes at his home by the Fixated Persons Unit later that day.
He was charged and pleaded not guilty, vowing to defend the charges at a hearing in May this year.
However, he appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, when the charges were withdrawn and dismissed by police.
The police will also be forced to pay Mr Langker’s $12,000 in legal costs.
The matter has been before the courts for some time, with comedian Jordan Shanks, the man behind the YouTube channel, fighting police’s efforts to have him take the videos from the altercations down.
Lawyers for NSW Police withdrew the application after Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said the videos did not amount to contempt of court.
