A Canterbury farmer who repeatedly threatened to kill the Prime Minister has been jailed for four months, despite a vow to refuse 'Government' food and water.

The man, who goes by the name 'All Means All', was found guilty of six counts of threatening to kill earlier this year after mailing abusive letters to John Key and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

In sentencing this afternoon, the 57-year-old previously known as Mark Feary, told the court he was willing die in prison.

"I will not eat, will not drink until I am released," he said. "I am prepared to be killed by the state because of lies by the state."

The Oxford man mailed six letters over several months last year, sending threats directly to the Prime Minister's office and two New Zealand newspapers. Each contained a distinct threat – "All's going 2 kill U".

Judge Jane Farish admitted the threats were at the "low end of the scale", but told the court she had no choice but to imprison All as he had refused to carry out community work.

"You are entitled to protest in this country, but you have to do it legally," she said. "You are a man of strong opinions, you are a man of high integrity. I imagine some of the high ideals you have are very hard for others to live up to."

Judge Farish told the farmer he had every right to refuse food and water in prison, saying it was entirely his choice.

"You are responsible for your own actions and your own choices. If you choose to do that, then that is for you."

The farmer sees himself as "a messenger" and has previously said he wants to raise awareness about the Government's duplicity and dishonesty. The ordeal began after a private property dispute with the Crown.

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source: newshub archive