A SALT Ash man, 75, who was convicted of phoning federal MP Bob Baldwin's office last year and threatening to kill the MP and staff has been acquitted.
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Arthur Walker Tupman had his conviction quashed in Newcastle District Court on Friday, May 22.
A judge ruled that the staffer at the Paterson MP's office - who took the threatening call that Mr Tupman was accused of making on May 14, 2014 - may have been mistaken.
Judge Tony Garling said that Mr Baldwin's office received about 20 disgruntled calls on the day regarding the 2014 federal budget.
The court heard that the staffer who took the call heard a man threatening to shoot staff and Mr Baldwin.
The staffer noted the number and time of the call, and hung up. The number was traced to Mr Tupman's home.
Mr Tupman admitted to calling Mr Baldwin's office but denied swearing or making threats.
He pleaded not guilty in local court to using a carriage service to threaten to kill.
He was convicted and placed on a good behaviour bond earlier this year.
In court last Friday, Judge Garling said while he was not suggesting the staff member had lied, he said it was important to note that the time the staff member noted for the call did not correspond with Mr Tupman's telephone records by two minutes.
While the staffer said the call ran for about two minutes, Mr Tupman's phone records showed it lasted about 30 seconds.
Judge Garling said that Mr Tupman was a man of excellent character.
