In 2015, McCabe, who is originally from Tasmania, was convicted of stalking the singer by sending her violent and sexual messages on social media.
As a result, a court ordered he not leave Tasmania or make contact with Sophie.
Now, New Idea can reveal that McCabe, who has previously served prison time for assaulting a police officer, is living just a car ride away from Sophie’s mansion.
“Sophie is absolutely terrified,” one of her close friends has revealed.
“We haven’t seen her like this before. Sophie has spent years hiding from James (McCabe), has had to involve police and get the courts to try and protect her.
“It is one thing him being in Tasmania and causing havoc on her life, but to know he is now in the same state and just down the road is something else.”
News of McCabe’s new residence comes just days after the 35-year-old took to Instagram to boast that he now holds a Queensland driver’s licence.
Scared out of her wits, Sophie has installed CCTV cameras and panic buttons throughout her home at a cost of $20,000 as a precaution.
According to reports, McCabe first became obsessed with Sophie when he was just 15. At the time the blonde beauty was part of the Aussie pop band Bardot.
Over the years, his obsession grew and in 2015 Launceston magistrate Sharon Cure sentenced James to an eight month suspended jail term for sending offensive messages to the former Bachelorette star between 2010 and 2013.
Despite a lifetime restraint order against him stating that he can never come any closer than within 200 metres from Sophie, friends say she is more worried than ever.
“Sophie really appreciated the court imposing that order and, yes, it does give her some comfort, but she is also very scared as James has shown he doesn’t have much regard for the rules and she is worried that after being in prison and now being on the outside that he is going to want to see her in the flesh,” the friend explains.
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now!
