A Gingin man appeared in Midland Magistrates Court this morning [3 February 2026] after being charged last month with making threatening phone calls.

Stephen Balcombe was charged by Gingin Police in January with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

In court today police alleged Mr Balcombe made the threatening phone calls between February 2 and September 10 last year.

This morning 62-year-old Mr Balcombe, who is the husband of Shire of Gingin President Linda Balcombe, was remanded on bail to reappear in the Midland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 17.

Yanchep News Online first reported the Gingin man had been charged on January 7.

The Shire of Gingin acknowledged the police investigation on the same day and said it was aware WA Police had undertaken an investigation relating to matters involving one or more of the shire’s councillors.

This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 3 February 2026.
Related story: Shire of Gingin acknowledges police investigation