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

Matthew Alexander Donald De Campo, 32, was sentenced to six months in prison by a Brisbane Magistrates Court for ramming his vehicle into the gates of the city's Great Synagogue in February. Despite the sentence, Magistrate Megan Power ordered his immediate release on a good behavior bond, crediting him for 83 days already served in custody. De Campo pleaded guilty to willful damage and two drug offenses; an initial charge of willful damage aggravated by a hate crime was removed by the prosecution. The incident, which caused AU$12,000 in damage, occurred on February 20, with security footage showing De Campo reversing into the gates. No one was injured, though a person narrowly avoided being hit. De Campo, who fled the scene and was later arrested, was described as suffering from severe mental health issues and drug use at the time of the incident.