Sydney man jailed for placing 'bomb' outside home of pro-Palestinian resident

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA(AA) – An Australian court sentenced a Sydney man to 12 months in jail for planting an explosive device outside the home of a pro-Palestinian resident.

Sydney’s Downing Centre court Tuesday found David Maurice Wise, 43, guilty with a non-parole period of three months, and a two-year community corrections order, the Australian Associated Press reported.

Wise had placed a half-filled jerry can with metal bolts and a cigarette lighter taped to it outside his target’s home over the owner's pro-Palestine views expressed on a blackboard fixed outside the property in January.

Wise, who pleaded guilty to the charges, placed the jerry can on the man's vehicle parked outside his home, with a message stating: "Enough, take down the flag, one last chance".

He was arrested on March 7.

Magistrate Megan Greenwood, in her verdict, said there was a need to deter others from engaging in such acts over conflicts occurring overseas.

"Feelings continue to run high in our community about what is going on in that part of the world," Greenwood said.

Wise's lawyer George Thomas argued his client is not a terrorist, as he claimed had been portrayed by some media outlets.

Wise will be eligible for release in June.

*Writing by Aamir Latif