Time served for threats to mayor, police, PM

The man who emailed violent threats to the mayor, city police, the Alberta justice minister and prime minister entered guilty pleas Wednesday, receiving time served and two years probation.

The actions of William Patrick Benham, 52, were “completely out of character,” defence counsel Sarah Lewans said during sentencing at Medicine Hat Courthouse.

Benham has severe back pain and chronic pain, Lewans explained, and wasn’t getting the help he needed, and felt he was in a corner.

He admits to making “stupid” decisions to send the threatening emails, she said, and apologizes for his actions.

Benham is now getting the help he needs, said Lewans, starting with being assessed for his pain while in custody, and is now also seeing a psychiatrist.

Benham was arrested Jan. 12 after the mayor’s office contacted police over an escalating number of threatening emails they were receiving.

Threatening emails were also sent to the Medicine Hat Police Service, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley.

The court heard these emails included threats to cripple and kill the recipients, to make firebombs and attack police.

Police said there were no attempts by the accused to hide his identity, and it didn’t appear Benham had attempted to act on any threats.

Benham was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to any person, and threats to burn, destroy or damage real or personal property — and he pled guilty to both charges.

“Mr. Benham has been crying out for help,” the Crown prosecutor said, but added there is also a safety concern — explaining how the joint submission for sentencing was reached.

Benham has been in custody for a total of 27 days, and so was given a sentence of 30 days time served.

He was also put on 24 months probation, where he will be required to have no contact with those he sent the letters to, to not carry a weapon, to undergo assessment — psychiatric and psychological — as required, is not allowed to consume drugs or alcohol, save what is prescribed to him by a doctor.

Benham has no prior criminal record save for one charge from more than 20 years ago.