A Taranaki farmer has been sentenced to prison for nine months for posting a threatening letter containing white powder to Prime Pinister Helen Clark.
Judge Alan Roberts told Hawera District Court that prison was his only option in order to prevent copycat offending.
Douglas Hancock, 61, from 40km east of Stratford, pleaded guilty to making criminal threats after sparking a full-scale security alert at the Beehive three months ago.
His letter called Miss Clark a gutter mole and warned her to get out of New Zealand while she still could.
It arrived on the 8th floor of the Beehive where staff work for the prime minister's office.
The powder was actually flour, but 58 staff were evacuated for a day and four had to be hosed down.
Rejecting defence suggestions of community work or home detention, Judge Roberts said the crime was tailor made for copycats and a light sentence could lead to prolific similar offending.
Hancock was also ordered to pay $4694 to the Fire Service and $500 to four employees who touched his missive.
