Man admits to making 'menacing' phone call to Age journalist

A man has been ordered to complete an anger management course after he was caught making a "menacing" phone call to award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie.The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard David Scholes, 32, called McKenzie on Christmas Eve in 2025 and called him a "f***ing scumbag".It came after McKenzie, a reporter at The Age, had written about Mr Scholes's employer, MA Services Group.The stories related to allegations of suspected tax evasion, worker exploitation and sexual harassment involving the company's founder, court documents said.The security company collapsed in late 2025, leaving up to 1,700 people out of work.According to a summary of allegations read to the court, Mr Scholes used software from his work to track down McKenzie's phone number, which was not publicly listed.The MA Services Group manager switched off his phone's called ID and rang McKenzie, boasting that the reporter was easy to find.David Scholes has been placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months. (Supplied)"Bro I f***ing hope you sleep well at night … you're a rat," Mr Scholes said during the two-minute call.During a police interview, Mr Scholes said he made the call because he blamed McKenzie for job losses at the company, where several of his family members worked. He was also concerned an article would be written about him and his wife.Prosecutor Annina Tropea said the incident left McKenzie feeling "rattled and under attack"."Journalists and the media play an important role in the community and this type of menacing behaviour is designed to intimidate them performing that role," she said.Defence lawyer Alastair Grigor said his client made full admissions and had written an apology letter to the reporter.Mr Scholes, from Fraser Rise in Melbourne's north-west, was charged with using a carriage service to harass or menace.The Age welcomes 'people being held accountable'On Monday, Magistrate Donna Bakos described the phone call as "menacing" and "distressing to receive", and placed Mr Scholes on a diversion order.The order means Mr Scholes has taken responsibility for making the call but no formal finding of guilt will be entered against him, nor a conviction recorded.Mr Scholes was supported by family in court, and the magistrate said six character references had been tendered on his behalf.She ordered him to complete an anger management program and be placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months.McKenzie is one of Australia's most-decorated reporters and has won 20 Walkley awards for journalistic excellence.Since 2024, he has reported extensively allegations of corruption and criminality within Victoria's building industry.In a statement, The Age editor Patrick Elligett said: "It is pleasing to see people being held accountable for threatening journalists, which could have a chilling effect on public interest reporting if left unchecked."McKenzie's house was targeted in an unrelated incident in October 2025, when an offender climbed onto his roof and tried to disable a security system.