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18 December 2001
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Anthrax joke leads to fine
From AAP
18dec01
A MAN has been ordered to pay nearly $1,000 after sending a hoax anthrax letter containing a white powder to a Sydney neighbour.
British national Andrew Wilson, 24, who is in Australia on a 12-month working visa, was convicted of false representation after his letter sparked a police investigation.
Wilson, of Kirribilli, on Sydney's north shore, sent a letter to his neighbour, Jonathan Ham, containing washing powder on October 17.
On the front of the envelope he had written "praise be to Allah" and there was a yellow biohazard sticker on the back.
When Mr Ham received the letter and saw it contained white powder, he immediately threw it out and called police.
In North Sydney Local Court today, defence counsel Michael Doughty said the hoax was different to other anonymous letters sent to multi-national corporations.
He said Wilson, who is working as a waiter, was aware he had made a grave mistake but had thought Mr Ham would "laugh about it".
Magistrate Peter Norton said Wilson deserved to feel stupid.
"There is a time for practical jokes and a time for not. This is not one of those times," he told the court.
Mr Norton fined Wilson $500 after hearing he notified the police of the nature of the letter before a full investigation had been undertaken.
He also ordered Wilson to pay $439 in compensation to the police department to cover its costs.
Outside court, Mr Doughty said the matter had not affected Wilson's visa but it was unclear whether he would remain in Australia.
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