Matthew Alexander Donald De Campo: Man accused of ramming Brisbane Synagogue gate pleads not guilty
A man dragged out of a ute at gunpoint and arrested for allegedly ramming the gate of an inner city synagogue has denied all charges, a magistrate has heard.
A man accused of ramming an inner-city synagogue’s gate with his ute in an alleged anti-Semitic hate crime has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Matthew Alexander Donald De Campo was arrested shortly after he allegedly knocked down the front gate of Brisbane Synagogue with a Toyota HiLux at 7.16pm on February 20.
A member of the congregation was standing behind the gate at the time but no one was injured during the incident.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The 32-year-old Sunnybank man was charged with wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime.
He is also accused of dangerously operating a vehicle, and possessing methamphetamine and the utensils for the drug’s use.
The case was mentioned for the second time on Wednesday in Brisbane Magistrates Court.
De Campo’s solicitor said an effort to resolve the charges had failed and the matter would proceed to trial.
“His instructions are that it is to be pleas of not guilty to all charges,” the solicitor said.
De Campo remains in custody and was not required to appear in court.
Between three and six witnesses might be called for the trial, magistrate Ross Mack heard.
“Mr De Campo is alleged to have reversed the vehicle into a fence as someone stood behind the fence,” the solicitor said.
“He was subsequently pulled out of the car at gunpoint.”
It would likely take eight months before the trial could begin, Mr Mack heard.
Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies vice-president Libby Burke said the day after the incident the community was deeply distressed.
“This attack is not only an attack on my community, it is an attack on all of us,” she said.
“A synagogue is a sacred space - a place of prayer, reflection and community.
“To see its gates viciously rammed is profoundly devastating and is not dissimilar to what we have seen throughout the globe.”
De Campo was remanded in custody and not required to appear in court for a review of his case on July 2.
He was due to start the process of applying for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.
