Gisborne teenager accused of threatening to kill Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle appears in court

A Gisborne teenager accused of threatening to kill Benjamin Doyle has appeared in the Gisborne District Court. Photo / File

A Gisborne teen accused of threatening to kill a Member of Parliament made his first appearance in the Gisborne District Court today.

The man, aged 19, has interim name suppression until at least another appearance set for October 23.

The alleged victim was Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle, who announced their resignation last month.

Police at the time said they had undertaken investigations into 10 reported threats against Doyle.

The man’s bail conditions include not to associate with Doyle, and not to threaten violence to person or property.

Charging documents state he made his threat to kill earlier this year.

The charge carries a maximum term of seven years in prison.

The young man is also charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

During the same period, he is alleged to have posted Instagram messages with the intent to cause harm and which allegedly caused serious emotional distress.

This carries a maximum penalty of two years’ jail and a maximum fine of $50,000.