Sewell threatened to “dox” a police officer and his wife on podcasts in October and November of the previous year, making threats to disclose personal information and wedding images.
Sewell argued that he was ensuring police accountability by exercising his implied “freedom of communication” on public matters when discussing the officer and his family.
“Police officers form the frontline of law enforcement; if they are deterred from performing their duties due to threats of exposure, humiliation, or retaliation, it undermines the justice system itself,” she stated in court.
She ordered he complete 200 hours of community work over 18 months, which will commence once he is released from custody for the separate offending.
Hodgson found him guilty of intimidating a police officer and his wife earlier on Friday, as well as two counts of breaching personal safety orders.
