Right-wing extremist who threatened to attack a mosque during Friday prayers and kill Jacinda Ardern was 'fixated and driven by a dislike for Muslims'
- Cormac Rothsey, 44, threatened to attack a packed mosque, a court has heard
- He also wrote on Facebook that he wanted to shoot dead Jacinda Ardern
- Rothsey said Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant was a 'brave Aussie'
A right-wing extremist who posted a series of Facebook messages threatening to attack a packed mosque during Friday prayers and kill New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hated Muslims, a court has heard.
Defence barrister Ben Bickford told Newcastle District Court on Friday that Cormac Rothsey, 44, was 'burdened by regret' over the Facebook posts.
Mr Bickford said Rothsey, who pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, was probably lashing out after being assaulted by a group of men he believed were Muslims in the months leading up to the posts.
Cormac Rothsey posted a series of Facebook messages threatening to attack a packed mosque during Friday prayers and kill New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
'It is conceded he (Rothsey) has to pay a price for these deeply hurtful, offensive and inflammatory comments,' Mr Bickford said.
But he said there was no evidence Rothsey, who has been held in custody since his arrest in September, planned to act on his threats or had access to weapons.
Mr Bickford said Rothsey told a psychologist he had been angry, frightened and overwhelmed by bad thoughts of revenge following his alleged bashing.
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One Facebook post on Thursday, September 5, at 2.53pm read: 'Australia Cormac Rothsey mosque raid soon. Make ya movie (sic). No turning back.'
At 3.54pm Rothsey wrote: 'F...in' hell. Let's do it.'
Rothsey had earlier posted how 'my aim is to go to Friday prayer in a packed mosque. No turning back when called to prayer.'
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
He had also used Facebook to discuss his admiration for Christchurch terrorist and mass murderer Brenton Tarrant and threaten to kill Ms Ardern.
Rothsey posted Tarrant 'should get a free house a medal for bravest aussie since Gallipoli'.
Posting about Ms Ardern, Rothsey said: 'I want the slut dead ... I will use my rifle.'
Following the threats, Rothsey was arrested by armed police in Hamilton on September 5 before being interviewed and charged.
Mr Bickford tendered four photographs of Rothsey after his arrest with injuries to his face.
Judge Tim Gartelmann noted Rothsey was arrested by tactical response squad officers soon after posting: 'Let's do it.'
'I can understand why authorities intervened urgently in the circumstances,' the judge said.
Prosecutor Sam Duggan said Rothsey had been 'clearly fixated and driven by a dislike for Muslim people'.
Rothsey will be sentenced later on Friday.
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