High School Student Convicted for Uttering Threat to Cause Bodily Harm

A female high school student was convicted of the charge of uttering a threat to cause bodily harm after she told another student that she had better leave her friend alone, or she would “kick her ass and beat her up”. A Provincial court judge ruled that the accused student’s statements, which were made in an aggressive manner constituted a threat to cause bodily harm. The Crown had proven that the words were said and were intended to be taken seriously. The offence of uttering a threat requires only that there be an intention to intimidate, and not necessarily the intention to commit bodily harm. The Court held that it would be wrong to excuse the accused’s conduct because it would send a message to young people that it is permissible to intimidate and threaten others.