What constitutes as a threatening letter?
Police must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused:
• Sent, delivered or caused the delivery of a letter
• Included content in a letter which threatened to commit a serious indictable offence on any person
• Sent a letter to extort or gain property from any person
• Knew the contents within a letter
Possible defences to threatening letters include:
• Duress
• Self Defence
• Necessity
The maximum penalty for the criminal offence of threatening letters is 14 years’ imprisonment.