Man jailed after mimicking Bondi terror attack and abusing Jews
A Sydney man who mimicked the Bondi terror attack and hurled antisemitic abuse at members of the public has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, in a case that has further shaken a community still recovering from the December massacre.
Zayne McMillan, 22, was jailed on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three counts of offensive behaviour in public and two counts of intimidation over a series of incidents across Bondi and Bondi Junction on January 31.
Zayn McMillan arrested for mimicking Bondi Beach terror attack (photo: NSW Police)
The court was told McMillan stood on the Bondi Beach footbridge, where 15 people were murdered weeks earlier during the Chanukah by the Sea attack, and pretended to hold a firearm while shouting “f**k the Jews” and other threats at passers-by.
According to agreed facts, he also declared, “I’m a Koori, I can do what I like” and “This is my land,” directing abuse towards members of the public, including a man with his family. The man said he feared for the safety of his daughter, who urged him to leave the scene.
When challenged, McMillan responded with further threats, including “I’ll f**kin bash ya”, before leaving as police were called.
Zayn McMillan (photo: Facebook)
About 20 minutes later, he approached a Jewish father and son walking along Bondi Road towards a synagogue. The pair were visibly identifiable as Jewish, with the father wearing a black hat and the boy a kippah. The father told the court he heard shouting of “f**king Jews” before turning to see McMillan and another man on bicycles. McMillan then dismounted, removed his shirt and continued yelling abuse, leaving the man concerned for his and his son’s safety.
In a separate incident shortly after, McMillan was filmed on Oxford Street in Bondi Junction shouting similar slurs after falling off a hired bike.
He was arrested four days later at Coogee Beach. At the time, he was on parole and under the influence of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Defence barrister Stephen Alexander, described his client’s behaviour as “hurtful, threatening and wholly unacceptable” while arguing he was not ideologically antisemitic despite the nature of the remarks. The court heard the incident began after McMillan shouted “Free Palestine” on the footbridge and was challenged by a passer-by.
“What he did say was antisemitic, but he didn’t go out of his way to be an antisemite,” Mr Alexander said.
“He does not consider himself as being a racist towards the Jewish community.”
Judge Michael Barko rejected that submission, noting McMillan had singled out Jews during a 35-minute outburst.
“Not one other faith, belief or culture was referred to,” the judge said.
The footbridge at Bondi Beach
In sentencing, Judge Barko said the offences occurred at a time when the community remained deeply affected by the Bondi attack.
“It ripped a hole not just through the Jewish community, but it ripped out the heart and soul of the Australian community as well that it could have occurred on our sunny shores,” he said.
Outside court, Mr Alexander said the outcome was fair.
“My client’s pretty pleased with it,” he said.
“He’ll just get on with his life and hopefully will do a lot better when he comes out.”
The court previously heard McMillan had wanted to apologise for his conduct, but no direct apology was made on Tuesday.
A second man allegedly involved has been charged, with a warrant issued for his arrest.
McMillan was given a non-parole period of nine months and will be eligible for release in November.
The case comes amid heightened concern about antisemitism in Australia following the Bondi massacre, which prompted the establishment of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and a series of measures aimed at addressing hate incidents nationwide.
with AAP
