An Australian man has been sentenced to eighteen months in a rehabilitation program after sending death threat emails to Australian Senator Fatima Payman. The man, Sean David Sharman, admitted in court that he sent the messages which targeted the senator with racist and misogynistic language.

Sharman labeled Senator Payman a domestic terrorist and used slurs against her faith in emails that sparked public concern about rising hate directed at women and minority figures in politics. He later told the court he had been drunk and could not remember writing the messages, but the judge rejected that explanation since the emails were clear and carefully written.

Judge Julia Barling opted for a social rehabilitation sentence instead of prison, noting that Sharman had no previous criminal record. She made it clear that repeat behavior or a prior history would have likely resulted in jail time. She described the emails as highly offensive and warned Sharman to take the program seriously.

His treatment plan will address alcohol dependency and underlying mental health challenges. The case has renewed conversations about the spread of online hate and the safety of public officials who often face targeted abuse.