26 July 2012 Last updated at 04:15 ET

Man jailed over bullets sent to Australia PM

Threatening mail was sent to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other political leaders

An elderly man has been jailed for sending bullets, detonators and threats to the Australian prime minister and other top leaders.

John Gordon, 81, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for offences committed over three years.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, former leader Kevin Rudd and opposition leader Tony Abbott were among the recipients

None of the the letters - some with bullets connected to a detonator - reached the recipients.

Gordon's lawyer told a Brisbane court that he had committed the acts out of ''a cranky mood''.

But prosecutors said that the elderly man had targeted people over immigration policies and funding for education.

Gordon sent six packages with explosives, several threatening letters, one threat to kill and a bomb hoax between November 2007 and November 2010 via the Australian postal service, the court heard.

His targets also included heads of banks and then Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby, Australian media reported.

He was caught after forensic evidence from a letter he sent to Mr Abbott revealed an impression of his name.

In that letter on 17 May 2010, Gordon claimed to have poisoned the water supply of a motel he believed refugees were staying at.

Judge Brian Devereaux ordered Gordon to serve eight months of his sentence before being released on a good behaviour bond, calling the acts a ''terror campaign'' and serious abuse of the postal service.

''Your conduct is to be condemned by the community,'' said the judge.