Man Jailed for Mimicking Bondi Terror Attack and Making Antisemitic Slurs
A man who mimicked the Bondi beach terror attack and launched into a racist tirade against Jewish people has been sentenced to jail. Zayne Jason William McMillan, 23, was heavily intoxicated when he and a friend visited Bondi beach six weeks after the shooting that claimed 15 lives.
Footbridge Incident and Antisemitic Remarks
On 31 January, McMillan was seen on the same footbridge involved in the Bondi attack, posing as though he held a long-arm firearm while his friend took photographs, according to agreed facts. The bricklayer, who is a First Nations man from Dubbo, yelled "fuck the Jews" and "I'm a Koori I can do what I like" during the incident.
He then verbally threatened a 47-year-old man walking with his family after making eye-contact, saying "Do you wanna fucking go? I'll fuckin bash ya. This is my fuckin land." McMillan later rode a bicycle to Waverley Oval, where he intimidated a second visibly Jewish victim walking with his son to a synagogue by yelling antisemitic remarks.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Judge Michael Barko sentenced McMillan to 12 months in jail with a non-parole period of nine months on Tuesday. The 23-year-old had pleaded guilty to three counts of offensive behaviour in a public place and two counts of intimidation, receiving a discounted sentence for his early plea.
Defence barrister Stephen Alexander told the court his client's tirade was antisemitic but claimed McMillan "does not consider himself as being a racist towards the Jewish community." Judge Barko rejected this argument, noting McMillan had singled out Jews during his 35-minute rant. "Not one other faith, belief or culture was referred to," the judge said.
Background and Mitigating Factors
Alexander explained the incident was sparked when someone responded to McMillan yelling "Free Palestine" on the footbridge. The barrister said his client had taken a mix of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA and magic mushrooms, and a psychologist had provisionally diagnosed him with a complex post-traumatic background due to a deprived childhood.
Judge Barko noted McMillan was on parole at the time, breaching conditions by taking illicit substances and committing further offences. The 23-year-old watched the sentencing by audio-visual link from Shortland prison near Cessnock, stroking his goatee while the judge spoke.
Aftermath and Related Charges
McMillan will be eligible for release on 3 November. Outside court, Alexander told reporters the sentence was "a pretty fair outcome" and that his client was "pretty pleased with it." He added, "He'll just get on with his life and hopefully will do a lot better when he comes out."
In March, the local court heard McMillan wanted to apologise for his conduct, though a direct apology did not occur on Tuesday. His friend has been charged over the incident with a warrant out for his arrest.
The Bondi beach terror attack occurred on 14 December when accused terrorist Naveed Akram and his father Sajid allegedly opened fire during Hanukah celebrations. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and 40 were injured. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police.
