Latest news with #Woollahra
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
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.
ABC News
09-05-2025
- ABC News
21yo accused of setting car alight, anti-Israel vandalism in Sydney granted bail
A 21-year-old man accused of spray-painting anti-Israel messages and setting a car alight in Sydney's east has been granted strict conditional bail. In November, 10 cars and three buildings were vandalised in Woollahra. NSW Police said one of the cars were engulfed in flames, with the vehicle next to it damaged as well. At the time, police said two men were had been captured on CCTV footage spray-painting the cars along Woollahra's Wellington Street. Days after his alleged acts, Mohommed Farhat — then aged 20 — was arrested at Sydney's international airport and charged with 21 offences, including 14 counts of damaging and destroying property. The hearing today specifically handled whether the accused was granted bail or not, and no plea has been entered yet. On Friday, the NSW Supreme Court heard allegations Mr Farhat had researched the location of a Sydney Jewish hospital before his alleged acts. Prosecutors alleged the accused had spoken to a psychiatrist in remand. "He told the psychiatrist that he had been influenced to commit the offences without the detection of his family," the crown prosecutor said while opposing bail. Justice Richard Weinstein, summarising allegations from police, also said that "he told the psychiatrist that 'people were getting in his head'". Mr Farhat's barrister Rebekah Rodger also told the court her client faced a "risk of radicalisation in custody". Justice Weinstein said there was no real evidence about radicalisation. Mr Farhat has not been charged with a terrorism offence. "Mr Farhat has an unblemished criminal history … a Hezbollah flag tattoo is as high as it goes," Justice Weinstein said. Justice Weinstein said there were allegations before the court that Mr Farhat had targeted Sydney's Jewish community specifically, and that he had a stance relating to Israel. The court also heard allegations that Mr Farhat had paid $1,000 to his co-accused. Among the documents tendered by Ms Rodger, the court was given a receipt from the airline Jetstar allegedly showing he was going on a holiday to Bali with his girlfriend when he was arrested. The length of remand, if bail was not granted, was also raised by Justice Weinstein in court. When asked about when a trial would take place, the crown prosecutor replied that it would not be this year, due to delays in court. "Eighteen months delay … that is a long time to wait. I have to assume the presumption of innocence," Justice Weinstein said. In granting bail with a surety of $1 million, Justice Weinstein said Mr Farhat would be under strict home detention with an electronic bracelet and only allowed out accompanied by a parent. "He will only be able to reside with his parents in Sydney's south with conditions such as daily police checks at St George Police Command, medical or legal appointments in the company of his parents." Ms Rodger told the court Mr Farhat's parents would supervise him. "The family is paying attention now if they weren't before," she said.
News.com.au
08-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Telenet CEO pays $12.1m ‘record price' for house with no parking
The boss of a Belgium-based telco who once ran Austar has paid a $12.1m record price for a house with no parking in Woollahra. John Porter, CEO of Antwerp-based Telenet, and his wife Susan Mougey appear on settlement records for 155 Queen St, Woollahra, which achieved the mega result off-market recently via Maclay Longhurst of Sotheby's. Prior to joining Telenet, Porter was the CEO of Australian digital satellite subscription TV provider Austar, which was bought by Foxtel in 2012. His Linked In profile says he is a 'global citizen with American-Australian dual nationality' who has four children, presumably some of them based in Sydney. Longhurst didn't want to discuss the purchasers, saying only that the owners were based overseas. 'It was only on the market for a week, but these buyers loved the location because it's walking distance from Woollahra village,' he said. 'It's definitely the highest price ever for a house without parking in Paddington/Woollahra and probably Australia.' There's no doubting the charm and beauty of the incredible home, which records show was owned by hedge fund manager David Curtis and his wife Joan, who bought it for $5.65m in 2017. Woollahra Council approved their $450k reno in 2020, which merges the classical Victorian front of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a contemporary addition. There was no possibility for off-street parking at the 291sqm block — it backs onto a public park. Longhurst's had a string of big sales recently, including the $12.4m deal for Dr Andrew Goy's Bourke St, Surry Hills warehouse (the old Labor club) which was a new suburb record for Surry Hills. He's also recently broken a range of street records — nine this year he advises — including 49 Glenview St, Paddington which records show is owned by Joseph McGlennon, creative director at Doctor V Energy Drinks, and his wife Janet for $9.3m; and 302 Moore Park Rd, for $9.75m owned by Mirvac CEO and managing director Campbell Hanan. The purchaser was Declan Boylan, founder of Seven Consulting.
Daily Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Telenet CEO pays $12.1m ‘record price' for house with no parking
The boss of a Belgium-based telco who once ran Austar has paid a $12.1m record price for a house with no parking in Woollahra. John Porter, CEO of Antwerp-based Telenet, and his wife Susan Mougey appear on settlement records for 155 Queen St, Woollahra, which achieved the mega result off-market recently via Maclay Longhurst of Sotheby's. Prior to joining Telenet, Porter was the CEO of Australian digital satellite subscription TV provider Austar, which was bought by Foxtel in 2012. His Linked In profile says he is a 'global citizen with American-Australian dual nationality' who has four children, presumably some of them based in Sydney. MORE: Beloved city pub's future up in the air Longhurst didn't want to discuss the purchasers, saying only that the owners were based overseas. 'It was only on the market for a week, but these buyers loved the location because it's walking distance from Woollahra village,' he said. 'It's definitely the highest price ever for a house without parking in Paddington/Woollahra and probably Australia.' There's no doubting the charm and beauty of the incredible home, which records show was owned by hedge fund manager David Curtis and his wife Joan, who bought it for $5.65m in 2017. Woollahra Council approved their $450k reno in 2020, which merges the classical Victorian front of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a contemporary addition. There was no possibility for off-street parking at the 291sqm block — it backs onto a public park. Longhurst's had a string of big sales recently, including the $12.4m deal for Dr Andrew Goy's Bourke St, Surry Hills warehouse (the old Labor club) which was a new suburb record for Surry Hills. He's also recently broken a range of street records — nine this year he advises — including 49 Glenview St, Paddington which records show is owned by Joseph McGlennon, creative director at Doctor V Energy Drinks, and his wife Janet for $9.3m; and 302 Moore Park Rd, for $9.75m owned by Mirvac CEO and managing director Campbell Hanan. The purchaser was Declan Boylan, founder of Seven Consulting.
