Man charged with harassing Jacinda Ardern will go on trial next year after allegedly sending the PM 92 emails ‘causing her to fear for her safety’
- Michael Christopher Cruickshank allegedly sent the emails within nine months
- Cruickshank, from Auckland, pleaded not guilty to charges of harassment
- He faces up to two years’ imprisonment if he is convicted in May next year
A man who allegedly sent 92 emails to the New Zealand Prime Minister will go on trial next year.
Michael Christopher Cruickshank, 54, is accused of sending 89 emails to Jacinda Ardern between October 17, 2019 and January 19, 2020, and a further three on January 21.
The alleged emails caused the nation’s leader to ‘fear for her safety or the safety or her family,’ according documents from the Auckland District Court on Tuesday.
Michael Christopher Cruickshank, 54, (pictured) is accused of sending 89 emails to Jacinda Ardern between October 17, 2019 and January 19, and a further three on January 21
Cruickshank, from Auckland, pleaded not guilty to charges of harassment, Stuff reported.
He faces up to two years’ jail if convicted.
Joining Cruickshank’s harassment allegations are three threatening to kill/do grievous bodily harm charges.
The trial has been set for May 24, 2021 in the district court, but that date could change if the case is moved to the High Court.
The alleged emails caused the nation’s leader to ‘fear for her safety or the safety or her family’ (pictured: Jacdinda Ardern with daughter Neve Gayford)
Matthew Burns from Northern Ireland was sentenced to 100 hours of community service after sending death threats to Ms Ardern and the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in November last year.
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to sending Ms Ardern a photo of a gun with a silencer on Twitter with the message: ‘You’re next.’
The photo was sent five days after the Christchurch mosque shooting.
He was charged with improper use of electronic communications, with messages of a menacing and grossly offensive nature.