Man faces court in Wollongong after allegedly yelling Islamophobic threats at family

A man who allegedly yelled Islamophobic threats at a picnicking family and drove in circles around the group faced court today.

A man will face court today after he allegedly made race-based threats towards a family group in Bulli Tops.

A man is facing court today after he allegedly racially attacked a family group picnicking at a scenic lookout in the Illawarra.

Police allege the man verbally abused the large family group, yelling race-based “threats” at them, drove in an intimidating manner, then left the scene and later returned. When arrested, he was found with a hammer and box cutter in his vehicle, according to police.

The man, who is known to police, has referred to NSW Police’s specialist fixated persons unit for investigation following the “unprovoked” attack. Police said the incident could have been worse than it was.

The incident happened at the Bulli Tops lookout in Bulli Pass, just off the Princes Highway. The 43-year-old man allegedly verbally abused the large family group of about 20, which included young children and elderly people, according to a statement from NSW Police. The group were there having a Sunday barbecue, police said today.

The man then got into his car and began driving around the group in circles, doing burnouts just metres from the group.

“The women, at the time, were crying and there were young kids there. They’re quite shaken from it all,” Supt Crane told reporters today.

When police officers from Wollongong arrived, the man was “driving around the carpark” again. He was stopped by police and arrested.

Police said they searched his vehicle and located a boxcutter and hammer, and said the incident “could have been worse”.

The 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Wollongong police station where he was charged with intimidation and driving in a dangerous manner. Bail was refused, and the man is scheduled to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.

A man will face court today over an alleged Islamophobic at Bulli Tops yesterday. Police say the 43yo drove in circles around a large family group, which included children, and made threats

— Gavin Coote (@GavinCoote) April 7, 2019

“There is no place for any type of intimidation, abuse, or violence in NSW, and I encourage the community to contact us to ensure every instance can be investigated,” Wollongong Police District Commander Superintendent Chris Craner said.

“The safety of the community is our priority, and the NSW Police Force continues to work closely with all community groups to make sure not only are they safe — they feel safe.”

Supt Craner has urged witnesses to come forward.

“Our investigation is continuing, and given yesterday’s weather, we know the lookout was busy, so we’d like to speak with anyone who may have been in the area at the time.

“In particular, we’d be keen to speak with anyone who has dashcam or mobile phone vision.”