A 20-year-old Perth man who left threatening and abusive telephone messages for the WA Premier because he was angry about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate has been fined $3,000.
WARNING: This story contains language that readers may find offensive.
Zayvier Tamer Rose today pleaded guilty in the Armadale Magistrates Court to a charge of "making a false statement which indicated a threat" over the calls, which were made to Mark McGowan's mobile phone in November last year.
Rose was one of two men charged after the Premier revealed he had received a number of menacing messages over the vaccine mandate, including one to threatening to behead him and his wife and children.
Rose was not responsible for the beheading message, but the court heard one message he left included telling the Premier to "go f*** yourself".
"No-one likes you. You deserve to die in a hole. The world's going to be after you. F*** you for mandating the vaccine you p****** looking c***," he said in the message.
The police prosecutor said Mr McGowan perceived the messages as a threat to him and his family.
Threats were 'stupid': lawyer
Rose's lawyer Michael Tudori described his client's actions as "stupid", saying the calls were made while the 20-year-old and a friend were drinking and talking about losing their jobs because of the mandate.
He said Rose was not an anti-vaxxer but he had concerns there had not been enough research into the vaccine, and also had friends who had suffered side effects from the jab.
But Mr Tudori revealed Rose was now vaccinated and while he had initially been stood down from his job as an apprentice electrician, his employer was now standing by him.
In deciding a fine was appropriate, the magistrate said Rose's actions had shown a degree of immaturity.
However, he took into account the 20-year-old's young age, his early plea of guilty and his remorse.
Anger at vaccine mandate sparked calls
Outside the court, Mr Tudori said at the time, his client felt angry that he was not given a choice.
"He just felt aggrieved that there was a mandate he had to be vaccinated, and he was going to lose his employment over it," he said.
"A 20-year-old, he got himself drunk and concerned and all emotional, and the Premier's number was on Facebook and he rang it.
"But he's not an anti-vaxxer. He's now vaccinated."
The court heard Rose's 19-year-old co-accused, Maxwell Eyke Czirr, had indicated he was going to plead not guilty to the charge against him.
Mr Czirr is due back in court on February 8.
