Victoria Police drop case against teenager charged over vandalism attack on Josh Burns’ office
Victoria Police has dropped charges against a 19-year-old for alleged $55,000 worth of damage to Labor MP Josh Burns’ electorate office, with the teen on track to avoid a criminal record.
Victoria Police has dropped its case against a 19-year-old accused of causing $55,000 worth of damage to Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ electorate office, with the teenager on track to avoid a criminal record after accepting responsibility for a separate vandalism attack on the French Consulate in Melbourne.
Police charged Matilda McDermott last year in relation to the vandalism attack in which windows were smashed and slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”, were spray-painted in red on Mr Burns’ St Kilda office in June 2024.
Small fires were lit in the telecommunications pit at the front of the Barkly St building during the incident, police said at the time.
Ms McDermott was also charged in relation to a vandalism attack on the French consulate in Melbourne on July 17 last year.
On Monday, counsel for the prosecution, Fiona Martin, withdrew charges against Ms McDermott in relation to the incident at Mr Burns’ office following the prosecution’s failed bid to lead “coincidence evidence”.
At the prosecution’s recommendation, Ms McDermott was granted a diversion in relation to the remaining charges of criminal damage to the French Consulate and failing to provide police with a mobile phone pin.
The court heard that should Ms McDermott successfully complete her diversion conditions – which include a letter of gratitude to the police informant for recommending her for diversion and a $200 donation to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – all charges will be dropped.
The prosecution had last month sought the court’s permission to lead “coincidence evidence” to argue that Ms McDermott’s alleged involvement in a separate vandalism attack on the French consulate in Melbourne showed she also participated in the attack on Mr Burns’s office, given alleged similarities between the incidents.
The prosecution had argued similarities between the events included connections between the political messages “Zionism is fascism” plastered on Mr Burns’ office and “Free Kanaky” sprayed on the French consulate, and the alleged use of a fire extinguisher, dark clothing, red paint and a head torch.
However Magistrate Jillian Prior in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday ruled against the admission of coincidence evidence.
Ms Prior said while there were “clear similarities” between the two events, there was nothing “unique” about them.
“A number of like incidents have occurred across a number of ministers’ offices over recent years,” Ms Prior said.
Ms Martin conceded this left the prosecution with “no case” against Ms McDermott in relation to the attack on Mr Burns’ electorate office, with the prosecution agreeing to pay costs.
Last year, police also charged a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in relation to the attacks on Mr Burns’ office and the French consulate.
Charges against the boy — who had his matter heard in the Children’s Court – were dropped in February upon his successful completion of a diversion plan.
A Victoria Police statement obtained last year in relation to the boy’s Children’s Court proceedings said there were six other suspects in relation to the two attacks who had not been identified.
The statement also said the total cost of the damage to Mr Burns’ office was estimated at $101,417.50.
