A former Australian soldier who tried to intimidate a decorated ABC journalist by threatening to slash his wife's throat has managed to avoid jail after penning a letter apologising for his "entirely unwarranted" behaviour.
Warning: This story contains language which may offend some readers.
Thomas Rickard, 26, today appeared in the Geelong Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to harassing Mark Willacy, a veteran reporter with the public broadcaster who has been investigating allegations of war crimes against Australia's most elite soldiers.
The harassment involved a chilling and expletive-ridden threat levelled at the investigative journalist's wife, Suzanne Willacy, and the couple's children in a voicemail message.
Rickard was initially facing two charges but managed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors who dropped the charge of making a threat to kill, which faces a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.
In exchange, Rickard has donated $5,000 to Mahboba's Promise, a charity selected by the Willacy family which works towards helping disadvantaged women and children in Afghanistan who have been affected by war.
The couple has also received a written apology.
"My behaviour ... was inexcusable, selfish and entirely unwarranted. I want to ensure you both that at no time I intended to cause you or any members of your family any harm," Rickard wrote.
"I am deeply embarrassed by my behaviour and will be forever grateful that you agreed to provide me with the opportunity to apologise."
Magistrate Peter Mellas acknowledged that Rickard's threat was an "immediate response" to a heated conversation at his workplace, but said that a free press was integral to Australian society.
"It brings to light things that would otherwise remain hidden, the things that could potentially hurt us. It allows us to know about them, act on them, address them," he said.
"To do anything which would lead to someone not doing their duty, just as you signed up to do with the ADF, is a serious matter.
"The particular victim in this case, the reporter … my understanding is it's not going to stop him and unfortunately he's probably experienced similar things in the past."
He sentenced Rickard to a two-year good behaviour bond without a conviction.
"It's clear that what you did would have had a considerable and direct impact," the magistrate said.
"Journalists should be able to have families, children without them being put in fear."
ABC News backs Willacy's reporting
The ABC's director of news, Justin Stevens paid tribute to Willacy's reporting.
"Threatening a journalist and his family is abhorrent and an attack on media freedom," Stevens said.
"Such behaviour will not deter the ABC from pursuing stories in the public interest and we will do everything we can to protect the safety of our staff.
"We're very grateful to Mark Willacy and other journalists for continuing to do their valuable work despite threats such as these."
Karen Percy, from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, said threats against journalists undermined press freedom.
"Journalists are doing an important job in holding power to account. They must be allowed to do that safely," she said.
The court today heard that Rickard served in the army for four years before joining the reserves.
In November last year Rickard, who lives in Lara near Geelong, turned his caller ID off and left Willacy a voicemail message, calling him a "c***".
"I hope your kids get COVID and I'm going to slit your old lady's throat, ya dog," Rickard said.
Willacy has broken several stories on war crimes allegedly perpetrated by Australian forces, including a Four Corners investigation which earned him a Gold Walkley, which is Australian journalism's highest honour.
Threat followed worksite conversations
The court heard that Rickard, who works on the West Gate Tunnel Project, was on a worksite earlier in the day when his colleagues, many of whom are veterans, began speaking about the allegations.
Magistrate Mellas heard that the conversation became heated and it ultimately prompted Rickard to target Willacy.
The threat was reported to police and the call was traced back to Rickard, who was serving in the army reserve at the time.
In a victim impact statement, Mrs Willacy said the voicemail message left her fearing for the lives of her husband and children.
"This threat changed our lives and the way we live it," Mrs Willacy said.
"I know my husband's job is difficult and many people do not like the journalism and the stories he reports, but I never thought someone would threaten to hurt me because of his work," she said.
"I have become uneasy about my husband simply doing his job and worry that other people will also want to hurt us because of it."
She described the difficulty of explaining to her children why the family had to put in extra security measures around their home.
"They have become fearful and anxious and they now question my husband about the stories he is working on," she said.
"They worry that if he reports on allegations of war crimes ... that more threats will come. They worry about his safety."
Court documents reveal that when he was interviewed by police, the former soldier backtracked from the threats.
"Do you have any intention in carrying out the threat?" a police officer asked him.
"No," Rickard said.
"Can you understand that the threat would be quite concerning for him and his family?" a police officer asked.
"I understand that, yes," Rickard said.
The 26-year-old was charged in December last year.
A Defence Department spokesman revealed that Rickard no longer had any ties with the armed forces.
"Mr Thomas Rickard is no longer an Australian Army member," the spokesman said.
"He was separated from the Army in April 2022."
Rickard is also no longer serving in the army reserve.
