Darin William Ogilvy pleads guilty to threats against WA Premier Mark McGowan

A 58-year-old man has avoided jail despite making serious threats to the WA Premier and his family.

Darin William Ogilvy, 58, pleaded guilty in Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday to one charge of making a false or misleading threat.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Jessica Anderson told the court that on Tuesday, February 8, around 11.45am a worker in Mark McGowan’s Rockingham electorate office opened an envelope which contained a letter and a white powder.

The powder fell on to their legs and office desk.

Police were notified immediately and there were fears the powder was hazardous, resulting in the office being cleared immediately.

Police attended shortly after, along with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the hazardous material team, which entered the office to assess the white powder.

Once deemed safe to re-enter the office, police read the letter that was addressed to the Premier’s wife, Sarah McGowan.

The letter contained threatening language and threats directed at the Premier’s wife and their three children.

Ogilvy wrote: “I voted for Mark but now I hate him more than the people I killed in a civil war.

“Mark needs to feel the pain from the consequences of his actions.

“A small group of ex-militant combatants are coming after you, Samuel, Alexander and Amelia. Reconnaissance has already started.”

The envelope and letter were subject to a forensic examination and a DNA profile was obtained, along with a fingerprint.

Ogilvy’s duty counsel Cameron Cole said at the time of the offence Ogilvy’s mental health was beginning to decline and the stress of COVID had significantly affected his business.

“Mr Ogilvy was under immense pressures as COVID was making it difficult for him to source materials for his business; he was having to defer some jobs and cancel others,” Mr Cole said.

“His mental health was beginning to spiral ... he did seek professional help, with assistance from his wife, however was turned away due to being unvaccinated and offered no alternative options.

“He believed that the vaccination mandate was harming his children.

“It was then that he started to experience feelings of frustration and not being heard.

“He is a deeply remorseful man and has worked hard to address the behaviours that contributed to the offending.

“He’s since received the AstraZeneca vaccine and is undergoing counselling to assist with underlying issues.”

Magistrate Deen Potter said threats such as Ogilvy’s letter deterred people from wanting to work in the public sphere.

“You’re not making decisions on behalf of two-and-a-half million Australians are you?” Mr Potter said.

“It’s a pretty full plate ... if you think you can do better, put yourself up for the next election.

“Don’t sit behind a keyboard or phone and make threats.”

Ogilvy was ordered to pay $4043.10 in resources required to attend this incident.