Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-Student's YouTube Death Threat Shocks College
Ex-Student's YouTube Death Threat Shocks College
11 Feb
Summary
- Ex-student posted YouTube video threatening college staff.
- He admitted sending communication threatening death or harm.
- Received a suspended sentence and mental health supervision.
An ex-student's online threats led to a suspended prison sentence and a mental health order. Oliver Benyon, 21, admitted to sending communication that threatened death or serious harm to individuals at The College Merthyr Tydfil.
He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday. The court heard that Benyon, who has autism, claimed he was bullied at the college. His father alerted police after becoming concerned about a video Benyon posted online.
The video, which had garnered over 2,500 views, depicted Benyon wearing a college face mask and a hat, identifying himself as "The Welshman" and issuing explicit threats of violence. Additional threatening videos were also found on his mobile phone.
Judge Recorder Christian Jowett imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. Benyon was also excluded from the college for 18 months and mandated to engage in a mental health supervision order.
