A Christchurch judge warned today that sending a text message threatening to kill someone could attract a seven year jail sentence.
"I sense that people who use these phones for such purposes don't appreciate the seriousness of the communication," Judge Michael Crosbie said today, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
"Charges of threatening to kill attract a maximum of seven years imprisonment and it matters little how that threat is communicated - it's the effect of the threat on the person who receives it.
"People who are in the habit of using cellphones and texts to alarm and annoy others need to appreciate that the consequences can be very serious indeed."
Before him in Christchurch District Court was Nathan Lester Cameron, a 21-year-old painter who pleaded guilty to seven charges of threatening language, theatening to do grievous bodily harm, and threatening to kill, involving his ex-girfriend and the man for whom she left him.
Cameron had reacted badly after the failed relationship, becoming upset at the loss of his girlfriend to a much older man.
He yelled at the victim at his home, and went to the man's workplace where he told a workmate he was going to "cut his nuts off".
A day later he sent repeated text messages saying he was going to "smash him, get him" and that he was going to get a gun.
Two hours later, he sent a text saying he had the gun and told the man he was dead.
Reports to the court showed Cameron had attention deficit disorder. They also showed he was remorseful and never had access to a gun.
He showed insight that made a community-based sentence worthwhile, and he had good family support.
Judge Crosbie sentenced Cameron to nine months home detention under conditions that he undertake assessment, counselling, and treatment for psychological issues, alcohol abuse, and anger management.
He must refrain from consuming or possessing alcohol during the sentence.
