By Dominique Tassell
Nicholas Jake Bullen Koopelian and Chrishelle Jade Bowman fronted court on 24 October for using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence.
Both pleaded guilty to the charges, which relate to a dispute in a group chat in late August.
The court heard that a group chat was created on a social media platform, with the complainant sending Mr Bullen Koopelian messages complaining about the alleged actions of another man.
Mr Bullen Koopelian, 22, engaged with the complainant before 23-year-old Ms Bowman became involved to support him.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess acknowledged that neither Mr Bullen Koopelian nor Ms Bowman had a criminal history.
She stated the complainant was 23-years-old and was known to the two present in court.
The complainant left the group after copping the abuse and stated they “felt anxious”.
There were over 90 messages sent back and forth.
“This is completely unacceptable behaviour,“ said Magistrate Sturgess.
She said regardless of the background to the situation, “none of that has anything to do with you“.
Magistrate Sturgess spoke out against the “social media pile-on“, saying there was no point in people getting involved with things that have nothing to do with them online.
She said she hoped both Mr Bullen Koopelian and Ms Bowman had learned a valuable lesson.
“There is very rarely a dispute worth this kind of behaviour and it doesn’t solve anything to behave this way.“
Both Mr Bullen Koopelian and Ms Bowman were fined $400, which they have four months to pay.
