An interstate arrest warrant has been ordered for a former Canberra journalist who threatened to behead Christians in his front yard and told one she should be "gutted and fed to the dogs".
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Prosecutor Kate Reardon on Monday said James Michael Waugh, 29, was trying to "tie the court's hands" when he left the ACT for Queensland without permission on March 21, 2020.
Waugh has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill members of the Crossroads Christian Church and Canberra House of Prayer between January 4 and March 24 last year, and is due to be sentenced on May 6.
His defence lawyer, Helen Hayunga, said Waugh left the territory because his flatmate had stage four cancer and he could not be near them during the coronavirus pandemic.
She said Waugh had "nowhere else to go" but to family in Queensland when he left his Canberra house. Waugh's family paid for his plane ticket there and a return flight back on March 27, which Waugh never boarded.
Ms Hayunga on Monday made an application to vary Waugh's bail so he could reside with his family in Bundaberg in Queensland because COVID-19 meant he could not "readily" return to the ACT.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss said the court had refused his application to go to Queensland just last week.
"He was specifically refused the bail variation to fly to Brisbane on March 21 ... it seems that he went ahead and did it anyway," Dr Boss said.
"He's simply thumbed his nose at the court and chosen to depart and not return."
Dr Boss said Waugh's family had the means to book him flights, so they would have had the resources for him to be accommodated in the ACT, "at least in the caravan park".
She revoked Waugh's bail and ordered a warrant for his arrest.
An agreed statement of facts previously tendered to the court said Waugh sought flatmates through a Facebook page for Canberra Christians in early 2018. Several members of the Crossroads Christian Church subsequently moved in with him.
Throughout the year, his views differed from members of the church and he identified as a "white nationalist Muslim". On New Year's Eve 2018, he spent the night with a female church member, who the next day said it "might have been a mistake".
Waugh later sent her messages that said "you are going to die" and "I am going to burn your house down". On March 22, 2019, Waugh posted on the Canberra House of Prayer Facebook page and said: "I'm going to kill every single one of you polytheist c---- as a reprisal for Christchurch", before he gave his address.
On the same day, he sent a group chat message and warned recipients he would attack them if they approached him.
"The only good Trinitarian is a dead one," the message said.
"I have issued threats, along with my name and address, to every coward dog church in Canberra ... I've bought a scimitar and intend to cut their heads off in my front yard as a reprisal."
Prosecutors have indicated they will withdraw two additional charges against Waugh - possessing an object to be used to kill, and using a carriage service to menace or harass.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
