Coltart was the subject of much harassment in the early 2000s. He received numerous death threats, and was arrested and briefly detained in February 2002 for allegedly discharging a firearm in a public place. Charges were eventually withdrawn in June 2003. In March 2003, Coltart, with his two youngest children (then aged 9 and 6 months), drove out of the family home and were followed at speed by three armed men around their neighbourhood until the pursuers were intercepted by Coltart's security team and Coltart and his children were secured in a safe house.