The actor of Home and Away, Lincoln Lewis, has spoken out after a woman who used him as a ruse to con unwary victims lost her bid to be let out of jail early.
Following a protracted appeal of her 2019 sentence, Lydia Abdelmalek made an appearance in Melbourne’s County Court on Tuesday and was re-sentenced to four years in jail.
The 32-year-old attempted to have her conviction for six counts of stalking earlier this year overturned, and she then sought to have her two years and eight months of imprisonment overturned.
Abdelmalek used social media to entice three victims over the course of several years starting in May 2011 by adopting the aliases of English actor Danny Mac, Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis, and others.
Moments after Abdelmalek’s resentencing on Tuesday afternoon, Lewis posted on Twitter to express his happiness that the catfishing ordeal was ‘finally done.’
It’s difficult to put into words or express the sense of satisfaction that justice has finally been served as a result of the cruel and horrifying actions performed by this person beginning more than ten years ago, the author wrote.
“I hope the punishment helps bring some closure to the victims, their families, and others affected, so that everyone may now move on and recover.”
Finally, I hope that this starts a discussion on online safety among friends or between parents and their children. Social networking is fantastic, but you should constantly be aware of who you are speaking with and, more importantly, should always watch out for one another. Lots of love.
Abdelmalek’s minimum sentence has increased from one year and nine months to two years and eight months, after which she will be qualified for parole.
Two years after writing a devastating statement about the anguish she had had as a result of being tricked into thinking the TV personality was in love with her, one victim committed suicide in 2018.
Abdelmalek even sent the woman’s mother, sister, and brother-in-law obscene messages and sexual pictures of the woman.
The woman’s family claimed during the appeal that the drawn-out judicial process had exacerbated their pain and delayed their grieving.
Because Abdelmalek “is a risk to society,” the woman’s sister urged the court to use the appeal as an opportunity to lengthen her sentence.
Another victim of the Lewis identity hoax suggested that the appeal be used to “send a message” regarding the negative effects of severe internet harassment.
Judge Claire Quin presided over their requests for an extended term while Abdelmalek’s victims and their family arrived in court for the sentencing.
She said that she had ‘many times’ told Abdelmalek and her attorneys that if they pursued the appeal, she may impose a more severe jail sentence.
Judge Quin informed the court, “This issue proceeded in spite of an overwhelming prosecution case and full knowledge of the additional stress that flows to the victims as a result.”
She called Abdelmalek’s crimes “persistent and vicious” and claimed that she had spent countless hours secretly searching for her victims online.
Judge Quin stated, “The appellant built a web of fake names and personas.”
Despite the fact that some of the content resembled a soap opera, it was real and had an impact on actual individuals.
What may at first be humorous can suddenly turn serious and have a substantial impact on the psychological health of the people who are exposed to the risk.
Of her sentence, Abdelmalek has already completed more than four months of it.