A Magistrate has condemned the actions of Hunter Valley man, Joseph Baldwin, convicting him after sending death threats to Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller.
As reported by the ABC Baldwin, 20, appeared in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to using a carriage service to harass the NRL star.
Baldwin was arrested and charged in June after screenshots of threatening social media messages he sent were circulated online.
Schiller, 24, received the messages during the Knights’ extra-time victory over Manly in Round 14—one of which included, ‘Count your days … I will end your f***ing life’.
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At the time of the incident NRL boss Andrew Abdo released a statement describing the abuse as ‘abhorrent’.
“Any type of abuse, be it verbal, physical or online has no place in society and we want to help eradicate it,” Abdo said.
“We will work with the relevant authorities to take the strongest action possible.”
Baldwin was arrested by police and charged shortly afterwards.
‘A direct threat to end his (Schiller’s) life’
During sentencing, Magistrate Stephen Barlow expressed dismay at the graphic nature of the messages which included a ‘direct threat to end his (Schiller’s) life … on the basis that he hasn’t played well enough in a rugby league game’.
“More than harsh, they’re actually quite threatening,” the Magistrate said.
“The victim was concerned for his own safety and the safety of his family.”
Baldwin’s lawyer requested the court to consider not recording a conviction to allow him to ‘continue his life with an unblemished record’.
However Magistrate Barlow, while accepting Baldwin was young and immature, ignored the request recording a conviction and fining Baldwin $750.
Schiller has played 15 games for the Knights in 2025, scoring eight tries.