The court heard that a woman who impersonated television personalities to recruit victims online and then stalked them is a compulsive liar who continues to deny her crimes to psychologists.
In 2019, 32-year-old Lydia Abdelmalek was found guilty of six counts of stalking and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
She purported to be Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis and other names, including British actor Danny Mac, to stalk many victims beginning in May 2011 for approximately four years.
32-year-old Lydia Abdelmalek (pictured) is appealing her sentence of two years and eight months for six counts of stalking.
After filing an appeal of her conviction, Abdelmalek was released on bond, but the guilty decision was upheld in May and she was sent to custody.
On Tuesday, she appeared in Melbourne’s County County via video link to file an appeal of her sentence.
Victims have requested that Judge Claire Quin use Abdelmalek’s appeal to extend his sentence in order to dissuade others from committing similar acts.
Abdelmalek, according to prosecutor Angela Moran, was a “pathological liar” who lied to psychologists preparing her appeal.
Ms. Moran told the court, “Anything the appellant says should be taken with a large grain of salt because she is a terrible liar.”
She lied during this entire offense, delving deeply into people and intricacy.
Abdelmalek purported to be former Home and Away heartthrob Lincoln Lewis (pictured) for approximately four years beginning in May 2011 to stalk multiple victims.
Ms. Moran stated that Abdelmalek maintained her innocence when speaking with psychologists because she could not recall committing many of the offenses.
She stated, “Despite having no genuine recollection of any of the index offenses, she accepted the expert view of the judges, and this was part of what led her to wonder whether or not she was actually guilty.”
Abdelmalek’s attorney, Timothy Sullivan, stated that his client was in denial about her criminal behavior and maintained that Ms. Moran’s words were provocative.
He stated, “In effect, the power of the subconscious is that she is in denial.”
Diabetes, time away from her parents, and being placed in protective custody, he added, would make Abdelmalek’s time in jail more difficult.
Abdelmalek will be sentenced by Judge Quin on October 25.
Other identities of Abdelmalek included British actor Danny Mac (pictured). The 32-year-old woman maintains her innocence and will be resentenced in court next month.