Kooringal’s Benjamin James Petterson, 33, appeared in Wagga Local Court this week, convicted of using the postal service to threaten to cause serious harm. 

Rohan Harrison, who represented Petterson, told the court his client was a troubled person with a traumatic past. 

“This is a very serious example of this type of offending, I can’t see anything positive about those facts,” Mr Harrison said. 

“His record doesn’t assist him and he is now institutionalised, having spent most of his time in custody.” 

The charge sheets tendered to the court state the threat occurred between February 27 and March 9. 

Magistrate Erin Kennedy told Petterson he needed to stop taking the law into his own hands. 

“You tend to be someone who thinks he knows better but a strong person is someone who accepts when they don’t have control,” Ms Kennedy said. 

“Your mum is still sitting here after all this time, you have to listen to her guidance (when you’re released) because she can’t help you unless you want her to.” 

He was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars, with a non-parole period of 18 months in Wagga District Court last week. 

Petterson was convicted of two counts of acquiring firearms and one count of acquiring ammunition while subject to a prohibition order. 

He was originally set for release on supervised parole on January 6 but will now be eligible on June 5.