Man charged with ramming gates of Brisbane synagogue released immediately after sentencing

No one was injured during the ramming, but a person standing behind the gate at the time spotted the vehicle and quickly moved out of its path just moments before the gate collapsed.

A Magistrates Court in Brisbane, Australia, sentenced Matthew Alexander Donald De Campo, 32, to six months in prison on Thursday for ramming his vehicle into the gates of the city's Great Synagogue in February.

Despite the prison sentence, Magistrate Megan Power ordered De Campo’s immediate release on a good behavior bond, crediting him for the 83 days he had already spent in custody.

De Campo pleaded guilty to willful damage and two drug-related offenses. Queensland Police initially charged him with willful damage aggravated by the circumstances of a hate crime, but during the hearing that concluded with sentencing, the prosecution asked to remove the aggravating circumstance. 

De Campo caused AU$12,000 of damage

The incident occurred on February 20, shortly after 7:15 p.m. Security camera footage shows De Campo’s vehicle arriving at the synagogue on Margaret Street in central Brisbane, then accelerating in reverse into the gates. One of the gates was torn from its mountings, and the resulting damage was estimated at approximately AU$12,000.

No one was injured during the ramming, but a person standing behind the gate at the time spotted the vehicle and quickly moved out of its path just moments before the gate collapsed.

Following the impact, De Campo fled the scene. Police tracked his vehicle with the aid of a helicopter and arrested him shortly thereafter.

At the time of the incident, police stated that the impact on the gates was deliberate; however, there was no indication of an intent to harm anyone or to enter the synagogue, and the case was not investigated as an act of terror.

De Campo allegedly suffered from severe mental health issues

The court heard that De Campo was in a severe mental state at the time of the incident. The judge noted that his conduct toward police indicated that he appeared paranoid and was suffering from delusions.

The defense argued that he had deteriorated into cannabis and methamphetamine use and that his condition at the time of the incident had been affected by the drugs.

After he was released on bail in May, De Campo entered a three-month rehabilitation program. The defense presented the court with his rehabilitation progress, and he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

The judge sentenced him to six months in prison for causing the damage, but ordered his immediate conditional release. The 83 days he had already spent in custody were recognized as part of the prison term, and he will serve the remainder of the sentence under the release conditions imposed on him.