Claimant with quake grudge sent bullet

A 58-year-old man with a longstanding grudge has admitted sending the Earthquake Commission (EQC) threatening letters, including one with a .22 bullet taped inside.

Last year, Russell Taylor Carr was found guilty of intentional damage for spraying paint stripper on several EQC cars parked outside its premises. He denied the charge at a judge-alone trial.

He had to pay $14,000 for the damage and do 150 hours of community work. Christchurch District Court Judge Stephen O’Driscoll told him: ‘‘Get on with your life. Put this behind you, and hopefully these matters between you and EQC will be finalised in an amicable way.’’

By then, his letter-writing terror campaign had already begun.

The court was previously told Carr was a Christchurch quake insurance claimant who felt ‘‘stonewalled and powerless’’ in his dealings with EQC.

He appeared before Judge Tom Gilbert in the Christchurch District Court yesterday and admitted four charges of threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm to EQC in his letters, unlawful possession of an explosive, and posting a dangerous enclosure – both referring to the bullet.

EQC had to increase security at considerable expense and notified all staff of the threat. ‘‘The letters have caused significant distress to the staff,’’ police said.

Carr told police he ‘‘wanted EQC to feel the way he did following his previous interactions with

Russell Taylor Carr, 58, sent threatened EQC staff.

them’’. The letters were sent between January 19, 2017, and May 1, this year. All were typed and posted in handwritten envelopes.

The first arrived at the claims department with the .22 bullet taped to the letter. It said: ‘‘EQC to the staff in the claims department and your family members. To whom this concerns and you no who you are. As a result of you ripping off people around Christchurch here is a small token that you can expect to see for your good work. This one you have seen coming because the next one you won’t. The next one is a lot large than thus. From a Christchurch public member.’’

The second letter arrived on November 1, 2018. ‘‘Somewhere in Christchurch there has been a boom planted in or around one of your propertys. This will go off within the next 10 days. I hope it kills a lot of your staff.’’

On February 22, this year, a letter said one of the staff was followed home and they should wait to see which of their family members would pay for their ‘‘f... up’’. It stated: ‘‘Remember the fire last Xmas (Port Hills) No accident Someone going to ????? ’’

The fourth letter arrived on May 1. It read: ‘‘To all of eqc (staff and management) You think that the Christchurch mosque attack was bad. You can only wait and see to find out how much more damage we can do to you and your staff. Not to worry as to which site you need to watch. We no your comings and goings and the best time to hit. Only hope we can bet (sic) that mosque record. Like the Christchurch attack you have been told.’’

Judge Gilbert remanded Carr on bail to March 27 for sentencing. He asked for a presentence report to consider Carr’s suitability for home detention.