Inmate threatens to kill judge who sentenced him

A man has admitted threatening to kill the Dunedin judge who put him in prison.

Michael James Stark (48) made the threat during an interview at the Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) in March.

Stark appeared in the Dunedin District Court by audiovisual link from OCF yesterday and admitted the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.

The police summary of facts said a doctor and a Corrections officer were in the room during the interview on March 2. As the defendant spoke about his recent court case, his demeanour changed. He clenched his fists and his voice began to rise.

He said he was angry "towards the judge who put him in prison''.

The judge was not named on the charging document.

Stark "stated with conviction'' he knew where the judge lived. And he said that when he was released, he would "get a gun and kill him'', the summary said.

When questioned further by the Corrections officer, the defendant repeated the threats, which were taken seriously by the officer and the doctor.

Stark's explanation for the threat was "the magistrate used bulling techniques'' towards his girlfriend.

Judge Dominic Flatley convicted Stark and remanded him in custody for sentence next month.