Sask. man sentenced for social media threat against Trudeau

A Saskatchewan man who made a death threat against the prime minister on social media will have a criminal record.

Derek Hurrell was given a suspended sentence of two years in a Saskatoon courtroom Monday. The punishment is similar to probation.

The Borden man was arrested in May after a two-month investigation by Saskatchewan police, which was prompted by concerns from New Brunswick RCMP.

The man wrote he wanted to “blow out” Justin Trudeau’s brains.

Hurrell is also banned from using social media during the two years, but will be allowed online to look for work.

His defence lawyer said he regrets the post.

“He was quite emotional about it, but he’s taken steps to address the issues that he had,” Lional Kayseas said.

The lawyer noted Hurrell has enrolled in anger management, which the judge commended.

“Some of the filters tend to come off, and it tends to be a situation where people say things they wouldn’t normally say in the course of their daily lives,” Kayseas said.

Borden is located around 54 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.