Man Charged For Threatening Ex-Partner On Facebook
July 4, 2016 | Events
A man who threatened to kill his ex-partner on Facebook is the latest person to be charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
Regan Zane Tebbutt, 18, posted a series of threatening messages on Facebook after the couple broke up in May.
Police said the pair became involved in a conversation on Facebook between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on June 28.
Tebbutt, of Blenheim, told the woman she was going to be killed, that he had nothing to lose and the police would not be able to stop him.
The woman feared for her life and called police, and called Women's Refuge for advice.
In explanation, Tebbutt told police he was responding to hurtful things she had said about him.
Tebbutt admitted one charge of posting a digital communication with intent to cause harm and causing serious emotional distress at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.
Judge David Ruth said Tebbutt was charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015.
"It's early days for this legislation, sometimes known in the media as cyber bullying legislation," Judge Ruth said.
The bill was passed in July last year and carried a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000.
"I can tell you, more than one person has been imprisoned as a result of this charge, which is why it's important to get legal representation at sentencing. This charge is taken very seriously by the courts," Judge Ruth said.
Aaron Stephen Tamihana, 28, of Nelson, was sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment by Judge Ruth at the Nelson District Court in April after he sent a disturbing video to a woman on Facebook.
Other offenders across the country have been convicted for threatening to post intimate pictures on Facebook, posting text and Skype messages on Facebook, and posting abusive messages on Facebook.
The legislation prohibited digital communications which were intended to cause harm to a person, and which caused serious emotional distress.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnston said after Tamihana's sentencing people should think very seriously about what they were posting in any digital media forum.
Even using offensive language in digital communications could be considered an offence if emotional harm was intended, Johnston said.
"People need to take the message the judge has sent in this case very seriously as their use of social networks and electronic communications could land them in a lot of trouble," he said.
Tebbutt was remanded on bail to July 25, for a pre-sentencing report to be submitted.
"All sentencing options are open," Judge Ruth said.
A bail condition prevented him from contacting his ex-partner.
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- Article originally on stuff.co.nz.
