CALGARY -- The profanity-laced rantings of an Internet blogger against Prime Minister Stephen Harper were more than just a joke, a judge has ruled in convicting him of uttering threats.

Provincial court Judge Judith Shrier, in a written decision released yesterday, rejected Patrick David Fenton's claims his comments weren't to be taken seriously.

Shrier said the Canmore man's explanation in court didn't fit with what he told police when he initially was questioned.

Fenton said his blog, which included threats to kill the PM, was clearly meant to be taken as satire.

But he told the RCMP he was simply venting his frustrations.

"If he thought his jokes were obvious, why did he tell the police that he realized he went too far?" Shrier said.

"His intention to vent his frustrations, as opposed to making jokes, is revealed in several places in the interview," the judge said in agreeing with Crown prosecutor Nadine Nesbitt the posting was meant to be taken seriously.

Shrier said Fenton admitted he tried to present himself as dangerous, noting he included a photo of himself wearing ski goggles with a knife in his mouth in one blog, and called his postings "drunken soldier."

Among the comments he made to Harper were "if I ever meet you the last thing you see other than your own blood and/or organs will be my remorseless eyes."

He also said: "I want to kill you so slowly I want you to suffer terribly begging for death."

Fenton was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 60 hours of community service.