Australian Court Sentences Man Over Brisbane Synagogue Car Ramming
A Brisbane court sentenced a man to six months in prison for ramming his car into a synagogue gate, but ordered his immediate release due to time served and rehabilitation.
A magistrates court in Brisbane, Australia, sentenced 32-year-old Matthew Alexander Donald De Campo to six months in prison on Thursday after he rammed his car into the gates of the city's Great Synagogue in February. Despite the prison sentence, Judge Megan Power ordered his immediate release on probation, crediting him with the 83 days he spent in custody.
Guilty Plea and Charges
De Campo pleaded guilty to willful damage and two drug-related offenses. Queensland Police initially attributed the damage charge to aggravated circumstances of a hate crime, but the prosecution asked to drop the hate crime enhancement during the sentencing hearing.
The incident took place on February 20 at around 7:15 PM. Security camera footage showed De Campo's car arriving at the synagogue on Margaret Street in downtown Brisbane, before accelerating in reverse into the gates. One of the gates was uprooted, and the damage was estimated at around 12,000 Australian dollars.
Mental State and Rehabilitation
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that De Campo was experiencing a severe mental health crisis at the time of the incident. The judge noted that his behavior toward police indicated paranoia and delusions. The defense argued that he had relapsed into cannabis and methamphetamine use and that his condition was drug-induced.
"De Campo entered a three-month rehabilitation program after being released on bail in May, and the defense presented evidence of his progress to the court."
Judge Power sentenced him to six months in prison for the property damage but ordered his immediate conditional release. The 83 days he had already spent in detention were counted toward his sentence, and the remainder of the term will be served under supervised probation conditions.
