By Charles Lefebvre

Guilty plea for man who emailed threats to mayor, prime minister

Feb 7, 2018 | 1:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A man arrested last month for sending threatening emails to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mayor Ted Clugston and the Medicine Hat Police Service has pleaded guilty.

William Benham, 52, appeared in Medicine Hat provincial court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of uttering death threats and threats to cause damage to property.

Benham was arrested on January 12 after he emailed threats to various officials, including Trudeau, Clugston and the Medicine Hat Police Service. The emails included general threats against government, as well as specific threats directed towards the Prime Minister.

Police said there were no specific plans to carry out the threats, according to their investigation.

Benham received a sentence of 30 days in prison, but was credited with time served. He was also handed 24 months probation with numerous conditions.

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Among his conditions, he is prohibited from communicating directly or indirectly with Trudeau, Clugston or Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley. He is also ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs, and was ordered to attend psychiatric counselling.