Individual from Carleton Place, Ontario, receives prison sentence for issuing threats against workers at Starbucks and various other businesses.

In a court hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth on July 2, Matthew McGetrick, 37, was sentenced for a series of offences including criminal harassment, harassing communications, and uttering threats.

The charges stemmed from a period between September 2024 and February, during which McGetrick made threats via telephone, targeting multiple businesses and establishments. These included Pure Yoga Ottawa, where he was described as "going on a rampage" before leaving three violent voice messages on Feb. 2.

McGetrick also threatened to "commit mass murder at the University of Ottawa," specifically targeting a psychology class. The Ottawa Police Service was notified about this threat, and the Lanark County OPP learned about threats made to Moxies Restaurant and Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse & Saloon on Feb. 25 and Feb. 8, respectively. On Feb. 23, McGetrick made seven threatening calls to Starbucks in Carleton Place.

The court heard that McGetrick has spent a total of 194 days or six and a half months in jail as of July 2. Justice O'Brien accepted McGetrick's guilty plea as an expression of remorse and acceptance of responsibility.

Recognising the potential undue hardship, Justice O'Brien waived the victim fine surcharge. McGetrick was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, with conditions including remaining at home, not breaching any conditions, not being within 200 metres of the victims, and not possessing any weapons.

The Crown highlighted the repeated nature of McGetrick's threats, the multiple businesses and establishments targeted, and the specific threats of sexual abuse against women and femicide. They suggested a global sentence for McGetrick's offences, as they all stem from the same behaviour and facts.

The victims of McGetrick's psychological and emotional suffering are the individuals targeted or affected by his actions. The Crown believes rehabilitation is key for McGetrick, and he will be bound by a probation order for a period of three years following his conditional sentence. The court also ordered McGetrick to provide a bodily substance sample for forensic DNA analysis.

This sentencing marks a significant step in ensuring the safety of the community and providing justice for the victims affected by McGetrick's actions.