Two accused of threatening Senator Kristina Keneally named in court
Two people charged over allegedly making online threats against Labor Senator Kristina Keneally have been named in court for the first time today.
Police & Courts
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Two people charged over allegedly making online threats against Labor Senator Kristina Keneally have been named in court as Luke David Eastop and Angela Jane Trappel.
Eastop, 29, of Harrington Park, and Trappel, 41, of Maitland, had their separate cases mentioned in Central Local Court on Wednesday after their homes were raided by Australian Federal Police last month.
Police allege in court documents Eastop made a threat on November 23, 2021, to cause serious harm to Senator Keneally and that he was reckless about causing her to fear that the threat would be carried out.
Police also allege in the documents on the same day Trappel used a carriage service in a way that a reasonable person would regard as being menacing, harassing or offensive.
Senator Keneally had confirmed on Sky News last month that she was the politician who had been allegedly threatened when the pair were first charged.
“I would like to thank the Australian Federal Police who, in all matters relating to safety and security of members and senators, take their responsibility seriously,” she said on air.
“I think it goes to a broader issue that has been discussed by the AFP in Senate estimates and other forums.”
Magistrate Robert Williams adjourned both Eastop and Trappel’s cases to later dates in the brief court hearing.
Eastop, who has been charged with threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official, will return to court on June 7.
Trappel, who has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, will face court again on April 26.
The court heard Trappel had not been answering calls to her mobile and had not been served legal documents related to her case yet.
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