Former Split Enz member admits stalking

Phil Judd. File photo, supplied

Phil Judd, a founding member of New Zealand band Split Enz, has admitted stalking young girls in Australia.

The Melbourne-based Sunday Herald Sun reported today that 56-year-old New Zealand-born Judd was convicted in Heidelberg Magistrates Court, north of Melbourne, earlier this year of stalking the two sisters since 2004.

He was sentenced to a 12-month suspended jail sentence and a $2500 fine.

The girls said in statements to police that Judd spied on them sisters as they travelled to and from school as often as three times a week.

He also took photographs of them at their pony club, they said in a statement.

In a Facebook exchange with the girls Judd said: "I find all u...girls beautiful and very special. I am not a pervert...I am an aesthete...I was a popstar once."

Judd, who lives at Eltham in Victoria, admitted the stalking conviction when approached by the paper last week.

"I only had a crush on one of them - I'm just a silly old man.

"This has been blown way out of proportion. The only mistake I made was getting on to Facebook one night after a few too many drinks."

The girl's mother said Judd should have received jail.

Judd's so-called "crush" had left one of the girls still traumatised and receiving counselling.

"She jumps when she hears a noise, thinking he is going to come to her window," the mother said.

"I don't think his sentence is adequate considering what he put my daughters through."

- NZPA