Man who threatened PM loses appeal

Prime Minister John Key was one of those sent threatening letters by Mark Stafford Feary. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A Canterbury farmer who sent death threats to top ranking government officials and members of Parliament, including Prime Minister John Key, has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Mark Stafford Feary was last year found guilty in the Christchurch District Court of 12 counts of threatening to do grievous bodily harm and two counts of threatening to kill. He was fined $20,000.

During his trial, Feary admitted sending the letters and making the threats, including one sent to Mr Key saying "It's killing time".

Feary lodged an appeal against both this conviction and sentence, saying his trial contained errors of law and fact, the verdicts were unreasonable and a miscarriage of justice had occurred.

He did not attend his appeal hearing.

In a Court of Appeal decision released today, Justices Warwick Gendall, Christopher Allan and Tony Randerson found no basis for the appeal.

"The appellant admitted sending the relevant letters the meaning of which is clear on their face."

Feary began sending the letters in September 2008 following a long-running dispute with the Commissioner of Crown Land over the lease on his farm.

He also sent letters to the Solicitor-General, Commissioner of Police, Minister of Justice, Attorney-General and leaders of the Maori, ACT and United Future parties.

Most of the letters were sent via fax, but at least two were mailed along with a gold paint-like substance.

- NZPA