Magistrates face higher kill threats

Queensland magistrates are facing increasing danger from criminals threatening to kill them or burn down their homes.

Chief Magistrate Ray Rinaudo said five magistrates had been threatened in the last 12 months, with one person charged after threatening Hervey Bay magistrate Graeme Tatnell.

Judge Rinaudo told the ABC he was unsure why there had been an increase in threats, but that he had confidence in the level of protection provided to magistrates by police and court security.