Tamworth raid: Robert John McDonald's charges for online threats to Australian MPs adjourned in Tamworth court

Robert John McDonald remains unrepresented and appeared in Tamworth Local Court on Monday on two charges.

He has already pleaded not guilty to allegations of using a carriage service - namely the internet - to menace, harass or offend between 6.30am and 7am on December 11, last year, in South Tamworth; as well as cultivating a prohibited plant when police raided the home between 7.30am and 9.45am on January 12.

The now 59-year-old is alleged to have used Facebook to post online threats to members of parliament, including the Prime Minister, late last year.

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The case had been adjourned for the brief of evidence to be served, and on Monday, magistrate Julie Soars adjourned the case again for mention in June. Previously the matter had been delayed for police to serve the search warrant used to raid the South Tamworth home.

McDonald remains on bail ahead of his next June court appearance.

McDonald was charged after a month-long investigation into comments on social media, namely Facebook, came under notice by police in December.

The Fixated Persons Investigation Unit then took over the police probe.

The unit homed in on the comments which police claim threatened Australian parliamentary officials, or members of parliament.

Officers then used a search warrant to raid a home on the morning of January 12 in South Tamworth, where they seized what they claimed was three cannabis plants, as well as a number of electronic devices.

McDonald was arrested and charged, and then granted bail by police.

As part of his bail, McDonald must stay out of trouble and be of good behaviour; live at a nominated address; and not use Facebook or any form of social media.

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