Gwilym Boyd Siebel: Former teacher pleads guilty to harassing Alex Greenwich over VAD bill

A former teacher sent a harassing email to MP Alex Greenwich mentioning angels with fiery swords and religious references to protest the voluntary assisted dying bill. Read the email.

Gwilym Boyd Siebel has appeared in Tweed Heads court after sending a harassing email to Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.

A former teacher has been placed on a good behaviour bond after he sent a harassing email filled with religious references to an MP protesting the voluntary assisted dying bill.

Gwilym Boyd Siebel, 64, pleaded guilty in Tweed Heads Local Court on Wednesday to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

According to court documents the education department staffer sent an email to independent MP Alex Greenwich on October 7, 2021 who at the time was putting together a bill for voluntary assisted dying.

In the email by the Murwillumbah man states:

“I have been praying against this bill in NSW.

“During my prayer time last week, I had a vision. I saw an angel. This angel was standing directly in front of you Mr Greenwich. He had a very large, fiery sword drawn within his hands.

“I am not prone to having visions and nor am I prone to writing letters to politicians.

“However, this situation is dire. I am compelled to write to you at this time.

“My sole intent is to plead with you not to proceed with this bill. My motivation in writing is to be probating in prevent calamity befalling you.”

Gwilym Boyd Siebel leaving Tweed Heads court on April 6, 2022.

The email further references Belshazzar - a religious figure from the old testament described as receiving a message of doom on a wall at a banquet.

The email reads:

“God has numbered your kingdom and it is finished. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.

“Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. That very night, Belshazzar was slain.”

Siebel makes another biblical reference: “In the book of Ezekiel, (Old Testament) Chapter 33, verses 4 and 5 it says, then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood will be upon his own head.

“He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took no warning… but he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

“Mr Greenwich and Mr Piper; Please! Please! Please! Do not proceed with this bill.

“The vision I had was very real and the message undeniable. The Lord is not pleased and he is not going to tolerate the wickedness.

“Please heed the warning that I have received and am passing onto you. For your own sakes, please wash your hands of it whilst there is time.”

NSW Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich debates about the voluntary assisted dying bill. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

The email also states: “please know that my motivation in writing to you today is not to hurt you but rather to help you. What you do with this information is entirely up to you. I am but the messenger.”

After signing the email in his name Siebel references three significant people who die after refusing to listen to God.

The email was received by Mr Greenwich on October 9 and reported to police.

Police attended Siebel’s home on October 29 where he declined to interview but admitted he sent it.

A lawyer told police on Siebel’s behalf that his client had stated he had no intention to hurt Mr Greenwich.

In court Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy noted Siebel had the right to engage with the MP about public policy however he said he overstepped the limits.

“Part of it is quite frightening,” Mr Dunlevy said.

He said Siebel was a person of excellent character who went out of his way to help people in need and had been committed to education.

Siebel was sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond with a $500 recognisance. No conviction was recorded.

The voluntary assisted dying bill in NSW was passed by the lower house late 2021 however remains up for debate in the upper house.