Tammie Farrugia: Woman named over explosives-laden caravan faces court

A woman could face a lengthy jail stint if convicted over an anti-Semitic attack after several cars were set alight and buildings damaged in a largely Jewish suburb.

Tammie Farrugia was arrested more than a month after the December 11 incident, during which several homes and vehicles in the eastern Sydney suburb of Woollahra were targeted.

She is accused of participating in a criminal group, damaging property and being carried in a stolen car.

Her partner, Scott Marshall, is named in court documents as being part of the same alleged criminal conspiracy over the attack, although he has not been charged.

The 36-year-old is already in custody facing unrelated charges.

The duo have also been named in relation to an explosives-laden caravan found on Sydney’s northwestern outskirts, but neither has been charged in relation to that matter.

The caravan’s presence was reported to authorities on January 19 but the find was only publicly revealed 10 days later, when police said the explosives had the capacity to cause a 40-metre blast radius.

References to prominent Jewish sites were also found in the vehicle.

Investigators have appealed for information from anyone who saw the caravan sitting by the side of the semi-rural road in Dural over a six-week period since December 7.

Farrugia chose not to appear when her matter was mentioned in Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday, when the court was told the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions would be taking over the case from police.

The election decision means the 34-year-old could face trial in the District Court, opening up the possibility of a lengthy jail term if she is convicted.

The most serious of the charges carries a maximum five-year penalty.

A man who identified himself as Marshall’s brother also attended court to observe Farrugia’s matter, telling media his sibling did not have anti-Semitic ideologies.

“He had nothing to do with it, he’s innocent,” he said.

“He’s just a normal person. He doesn’t hate anyone.

“I don’t know why they’re doing this to him.”

In the days before the December 11 attack, several Facebook posts were made by an account in Farrugia’s name to community groups in southwestern Sydney.

“Anyone got any plastic Jerry cans plz let me know thanks in advance,” a post made on December 10 inquired.

Graffiti including “Kill Israiel” (sic) was later sprayed on buildings and footpaths in the suburb, which is home to a large Jewish community.

The incident came amid a spate of anti-Semitic attacks, including arson attempts on synagogues and the targeting of a high-profile Jewish leader’s former home.

The Australian Federal Police is investigating whether overseas actors paid local criminals to carry out some of the anti-Semitic attacks.

Farrugia’s matter is due to return to court on April 3.