Man accused of sending jockey Michelle Payne death threats denied bail

Legendary Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has lashed an accused stalker who allegedly bombarded her with “disgusting” death threats and sexualised slurs.

Craig Langford, a 51-year-old man from Werribee, allegedly hurled the violent threats at Payne in a series of Instagram messages last week.

A court heard Mr Langford, who was on bail for other alleged offending when he allegedly sent the abusive texts over the course of three days, threatened to kill Payne and called her a slut, a pig and a dog.

Payne, the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, told the ABC the level of violence detailed in Mr Langford’s alleged threats was “unimaginable”.

“You can’t have people out there if they’re going to make those comments. They don’t deserve their freedom,” Payne said.

“It’s disgusting to think that someone could think they could treat you like that.”

Mr Langford was denied bail in the Wyndham magistrates court today after prosecutors told the court they held “grave concerns” for Payne’s physical safety and mental health after the alleged death threats left her in a state of shock.

“The victim is a well-known public figure and can easily be tracked and located,” the court heard.

Prosecutors said Mr Langford had made “threats of lethal violence” that included wishing Payne and her family dead.

The court heard detectives did not know the motive behind Mr Langford’s menacing messages to Payne and that he did not know her personally.

Judge says accused poses unacceptable risk to community

Police raided the Werribee home where Mr Langford had been living with his stepfather and mother, where they seized his mobile phone to download and analyse its data.

Following his arrest, Mr Langford denied sending the messages and claimed he did not use Instagram when interviewed by police.

The court heard Mr Langford told investigators he knew who Payne was and did not like her but had refused to elaborate further.

Mr Langford’s defence counsel told the court he would have “next to zero” access to a computer or smartphone if he was bailed, and that his stepfather would report him to police if he breached any orders imposed on him.

The court also heard Mr Langford cared for his unwell and elderly stepfather and his wheelchair-bound mother.

But a magistrate deemed Payne’s accused stalker an unacceptable risk to the community, saying: “Stalking has a significant impact on those people subjected to it.”

Mr Langford, who sat in the dock flanked by custody officers, looked directly ahead as he was remanded in custody.

The alleged death threats and abuse are the latest challenge for the retired Payne, whose father, legendary horseman Paddy Payne Sr, died in September at age 90.

They are also not the first time Payne has dealt with alleged stalking.

Victorian man Peter Widdowson pleaded guilty to stalking Payne and fellow jockey Nikita Beriman when he mailed the pair parcels filled with toys, books and letters in 2022.

Payne rode New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Prince of Penzance when she became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.

Mr Langford will return to court next month.