WARNING: Graphic content
An aspiring rapper says he is reformed and has apologised to media personality Yumi Stynes after admitting to sending her obscene and threatening messages via social media.
Eli Engwicht was due to be sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to harass, menace or offend.
The 23-year-old sent a message to Ms Stynes on July 19 in which he declared he had ‘no qualms’ about sexually assaulting her with razors or assaulting her grandmother.
‘I wanna see you get torn up limb by limb and tortured for hours,’ he wrote to the author and podcaster.
‘You dirty piece of wasted life.’
Eli Engwicht was due to be sentenced in Sydney ‘s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to harass, menace or offend
The 23-year-old sent a message to Ms Stynes on July 19 in which he declared he had ‘no qualms’ about sexually assaulting her with razors or assaulting her grandmother
On Wednesday, magistrate Megan Greenwood agreed to adjourn his sentencing proceedings for six weeks while he attends a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
Outside court, Engwicht stopped to talk to reporters and reiterated his apology to Ms Stynes.
‘I’ve been doing a lot of self-work,’ he said.
‘I’ve got two jobs at the moment, I’ve kicked all bad habits, I’m doing better than ever. I appreciate the support of all my friends and family.
‘Again, I’m very sorry to the person I offended.’
Asked about his possible sentence, Engwicht said: ‘I think I’ll get what I deserve. I believe that’s up to the judge, that’s not up to me to decide.’
Engwicht, who also goes by the stage name Lil Swift, is an aspiring musician who has shared multiple videos via social media of himself rapping.
He said he was taking steps to reform himself and wanted to be an example for young people.
‘I was headed down a bad direction,’ Engwicht said.
‘And after this is all done, I’m going to use my music and my voice to show the youth and people in my situation that you can overcome tough times.’
On Wednesday, magistrate Megan Greenwood agreed to adjourn his sentencing proceedings for six weeks while he attends a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program
Engwicht will be unable to threaten, harass, stalk or intimidate Ms Stynes under the conditions of an interim apprehended violence order taken out by police
Engwicht will be unable to threaten, harass, stalk or intimidate Ms Stynes under the conditions of an interim apprehended violence order taken out by police.
The order also prevents the aspiring rapper from approaching, contacting or locating Ms Stynes.
Ms Stynes told police she felt terrorised and disgusted by the private message sent to her Instagram account.
According to court documents, she feared for her safety and thought Engwicht might try to find out where she lived.
When he was arrested two days later, the aspiring rapper told police he had sent the message because he found Ms Stynes’ book on sex education ‘offensive’.
However, he has since issued several public apologies for his behaviour.
Ms Stynes shared his message in a bid to shine a light on the online abuse she’s received after the publication of her sex education book, Welcome to Sex: Your No-Silly-Questions Guide to Sexuality, Pleasure and Figuring it Out.
Welcome to Sex by Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang has been met with backlash. The book was pulled from stores after staff were abused
The book, which is intended for children aged 10 and older, has generated controversy for its unfiltered discussions of topics such as oral and anal sex and gender identity.
It was co-authored by Dr Melissa Kang, who specialises in adolescent health and formerly provided advice through the famed Dolly Doctor column.
The sex guide has been pulled from the shelves of Big W and Target following an online protest campaign and staff members being abused.
Engwicht will return to court in December.