Alleged antisemite lived in Jewish-run crisis home

February 3, 2025 by AAP
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A man will remain in custody after allegedly hurling antisemitic abuse at a woman while he was living in Jewish-run crisis accommodation.

Jewish House

A young homeless man who was living in Jewish-run crisis accommodation will remain behind bars after allegedly yelling out anti-Semitic abuse at a woman while he was on bail.

Wendell Mumbulla was arrested at Jewish House in Bondi just after midday on Sunday after a woman flagged down patrolling police attached to a strike force set up after a spate of anti-Semitic incidents.

The 21-year-old, who was a resident in the short-term housing in Sydney’s east,  allegedly yelled the intimidating slurs at the woman just before 8am.

He was arrested and taken to Newtown police station, where he was charged  with stalking and intimidation with the intent of physical or mental harm.

Mumbulla was also charged with property damage over an unrelated incident and breach of bail.

Prosecutor Alexandra Tomasetti opposed his application for bail on Monday, saying the rise in anti-Semitic incidents had raised community expectations for tough penalties.

“(There is) significant concern to the community,” she told Newtown Local Court.

“There’s certainly discussion around expectations in how these matters are to be dealt with (and) a custodial sentence is likely.”

Defence lawyer Matthew Allen said the young man was on the verge of finding suitable housing after being homeless for some time.

Mumbulla’s father died at a young age and his mother was an alcoholic, Mr Allen added.

“The instructions I’ve gathered reveal a long history of disadvantage,” he said.

“(Bail would) allow him to continue to work on himself as he is on the cusp of being able to achieve something for himself.”

Mr Allen agreed he did not have a bail address for the man as he “could not return to the accommodation where the alleged offences occurred”.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich rejected the bail application, saying the man had a history of breaching court orders and not showing up when required to.

Mumbulla had faced 32 charges in the state and had received two community corrections orders and one conditional release order as sentences, the court was told.

He pleaded not guilty to the intimidation charge and that case was adjourned to Waverley Local Court on February 11.

He is due to be sentenced at Newtown later in the month for a separate property damage offence.

Appearing in the court via a video link from the neighbouring police station, Mumbulla yelled expletives at the magistrate after being refused bail.

His alleged anti-Semitic abuse followed a series of incidents targeting Jewish communities.

Eggs were thrown at five women near Bondi Beach on Saturday night, and more cars and buildings were spray-painted with anti-Semitic slurs.

Since December a synagogue has been firebombed, multiple cars torched, and swastikas and anti-Semitic language painted on vehicles and buildings in Jewish communities.

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

By: Neve Brissenden/AAP

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