Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis is expected to give evidence against the stalker who drove a young woman to suicide while pretending to be him.
Melbourne woman Lydia Abdelmalek, 29, was sentenced in June 2019 to a two-year, eight-month prison term for six counts of stalking, employing what one victim called 'sick mind games', impersonating the soap star.
Abdelmalek was bailed almost immediately as she flagged an appeal and is in the process of undergoing pre-trial hearings in the County Court of Victoria.
The former Home and Away (pictured) star explained how powerless the catfishing left him, telling the court at an earlier appearance he felt powerless
Lydia Abdelmalek (right), and her father leave the County Court of Victoria last year
She was released with a $10,000 surety and directed to comply with strict social media restrictions.
So callous had Abdelmalek been during her original trial, she held an A4-sized photo of Lewis as her victims read out their impact statements.
Daily Mail Australia has been told by entertainment industry sources Lewis will be called to give evidence should the matter progress to a full appeal hearing.
At present, lawyers are arguing whether a swag of new evidence can be used against her during her judge-only appeal.
Lewis has made no secret of his disgust at being used by the cruel scammer to torment her victims.
'Having your number, address, personal details illegally obtained & photos doctored was scary,' he said at the time.
'Having them used to catfish people is sickening. But nothing can give back or make right what this sick person did and took away from the victims.'
The Home and Away star said it was ‘scary’ that his details had been used by Abdelmalek who posed as him to communicate with women online.
He also urged people to 'know who you or they [kids] are talking to online'.
'For everyone, but especially for those with kids, KNOW who you or they are talking to online,' he stated in a post on Instagram before Abdelmalek was sentenced.
'BE ABSOLUTELY SURE of it! Social media can be great but also a scary place as there are sick twisted people out there. Be safe.'
Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis is expected to be called to court to give evidence against a cruel catfisher
The hunter becomes the hunted: Lydia Abdelmalek leaves court in February last year with her barrister as reporters hit her with a barrage of questions
Tight lipped: Lydia Abdelmalek had nothing to say as she tried to escape a media pack that chased her and her father along Lonsdale Street outside the County Court of Victoria in February last year
