Couple released after alleged anti-Semitic attack causes $20k damage
A couple were overjoyed to be reunited in court over an anti-Semitic incident which caused about $20,000 in damages through a spate of alleged attacks throughout one of Sydney's wealthiest suburbs, after previously being investigated over the explosive-filled caravan in Dural.
Tammie Farrugia, 34, and her partner Scott Marshall, 36, both had their cases heard in the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday after being charged over their alleged involvement in the malicious damage of vehicles and buildings in Sydney's east.
The pair were previously charged over an anti-Semitic incident where a car was torched and two buildings were graffitied with anti-Semitic messages in Woollahra on December 11.
The words 'Kill Israiel' (sic) were scrawled on the wall of a home in the alleged attack, which caused an estimated $20,000 in damages.
Police alleged in court that Farrugia made a post on her social media account on December 10 asking if anyone had jerry cans she could use.
'Anyone got any plastic Jerry cans plz let me know thanks in advance,' Farrugia allegedly posted in a Facebook group.
Farrugia has since stayed active on Facebook, commenting about how much she misses Mr Marshall as he remained in custody.
'F**k this shit is killing me not having u by my side or hearing you're (sic) voice if I could trade placed with u I would love u so much baby @Scott Marshall,' she wrote in a comment in December last year.
The court has now heard that the couple only provided the fuel cans and moved the torched vehicle but did not have any knowledge to what would occur after.
'They have unfortunately been used to gather the fuel cans and move the vehicle and they did that without any knowledge of what was to occur thereafter and planned by the people who had engaged them at the beginning of this crime,' magistrate Susan McIntyre said.
The court heard that the couple did not know what the vehicle was used for until the incident was televised on the news.
However, the court also acknowledged that if they had not committed this crime, the more serious acts of anti-Semitism would not have occurred.
The crux 'of this behaviour really is the participation in criminal offending which has ultimately led to really serious and terrifying criminal offending down the track,' magistrate McIntyre said.
'Ultimately I supposed for the participation of Ms Farrugia and Mr Marshall, the activity of the antisemitic actions would not have occurred.'
The couple appeared via AVL, and were able to see each other for the first time in months.
Farrugia was seen to purposely lift her shirt in front of the camera.
Both said 'I love you' to the other and had a quick conversation before court broke for lunch.
Marshall had allegedly received a text from an unknown number offering money in return for 'jerry cans,' whether the couple received renumeration and how much is unknown to the court.
Before the incident, Marshall was subject to an intensive corrections order due to a drug court matter – meaning his charges resulted in a breach of his bail conditions.
The pair were also previously investigated after a caravan loaded with explosives and a list of addresses, including that of the Great Jewish Synagogue, was found in Dural on January 19.
However the court has heard they were not involved.
'Ms Farrugia and Mr Marshall were not part of any antisemitic conspiracy or activity and are not linked in any way to a caravan found on the street in Dural,' Ms Farrugia's lawyer told the court.
Ms Farrugia and Mr Marshall were named on a search warrant after police were alerted to the incident, but neither were charged in relation to that matter.
The Australian Federal Police later determined the incident was a 'fake terrorism plot' and not a genuine threat.
Mr Marshall has been charged over the alleged December 10 incident with destroying or damaging property, in relation to the vehicle - not any of the houses, and take and drive conveyance without consent.
He has pleaded guilty to both destroying or damaging property and take and drive conveyance without consent.
A previous charge of participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity was dropped.
Marshall was sentenced to as period of imprisonment for 12 months over the two charges, with a non-parole period of six months, starting from 24 December 2024 till the 23 June 2025.
Ms Farrugia was also charged over the same incident, with destroy or damaging property and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and pleaded guilty on the 22 May.
Her previous charge of participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity was also dropped.
Farrugia was released from custody on a community corrections order of 12 months, starting from Friday.
The CCO had the additional conditions of being subject to supervision by a CCO officer at Liverpool Community Corrections District Office for the period of the CCO.
She is also to participate in any program, treatment, intervention or related activity specified in the CCO order, to abstain from drugs, and to report to the Liverpool Community Corrections within seven days upon release.
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