A scholar at the University of Melbourne, Anthony Brooks, 33, is facing multiple charges including possession of child abuse material and stalking, authorities allege. Brooks, who was reportedly a registered offender, was able to enroll in an arts degree and made the university's Dean's Honours List in 2023, 2024, and 2025. He also received the Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship in 2026.
Brooks was charged in November of the previous year and placed on police bail, which he allegedly breached. Police allege that between February 2023 and June 2024, Brooks stalked an individual in Docklands, creating multiple fictitious personas to harass the person into an unwanted sexual relationship, including an alleged threat of self-harm. Brooks was also charged with using a carriage service to menace.
Authorities allege that Brooks opened a Gmail account in 2023, a violation of his reporting conditions as a registered offender, and failed to inform police. He was again charged on April 29 of this year with transmitting child abuse material, with one charge relating to failing to comply with his reporting obligations as a registered offender.
The University of Melbourne has declined to answer specific questions regarding Brooks' enrollment, stating that legally binding confidentiality and privacy obligations prevent them from commenting on individuals. The university issued a general statement emphasizing that the safety and well-being of its students and staff are paramount and that it has robust systems in place to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
Brooks' bail was extended, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on August 21. He had reportedly arrived in Melbourne around February 2023, coinciding with the end of an interstate conditional release order and the alleged commencement of his stalking campaign and studies at the university.