Death threat: ‘Ivan Milat got nothing’

A BOWEN man threatened to kill the mother of his children via text message, writing “Ivan Milat got nothing, I told you the kids would be famous,” among a tirade of more than 20 text messages.

The 37-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted he breached his domestic violence order when he sent the threatening messages to his former partner in March this year. Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told Bowen Magistrates Court last week the man sent various messages with threats to kill, including saying, “you can hide and I will kill you, don’t be a f--ing hero and screenshot my messages”.

Sgt Myors said a few days later, the man admitted to police he had sent the messages.

“He was remorseful understood his actions and were not in compliance with protection order,” she said.

The man pleaded guilty last week to one count of contravening a domestic violence order.

Representing himself, the man told the court he had been drinking when he sent the messages and he was upset because his former partner “upped and left” while he was at work.

“She was planning a holiday, I think, then COVID-19 the set in and we got separated,” he said.

The Bowen man said the couple had been together for 16 years and had undergone mediation in recent times.

Magistrate Ron Muirhead stressed the seriousness of the threats made and warned the man that hefty consequences could be expected for that type of behaviour.

“When you make threats like that to someone, the court could consider imprisonment or at the very least a very heavy fine,” Mr Muirhead said.

“There is no excuse for your behaviour but there are mitigating factors.”

Given the man had not been before court for domestic violence in the past, Mr Muirhead imposed a 12-month period of probation.

“If you don’t comply, you’re in serious trouble,” Mr Muirhead said.

The man’s conviction was recorded.