Man drives through gates of mosque, screams obscenities in Queensland

Published at 11:42 am March 17th, 2019

Aerial panoramic view of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Bigstock

The 23-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed, had his drivers license suspended for DUI earlier in the day

A man has been arrested overnight after he drove through the gates of a mosque and screamed obscenities at worshipers in Queensland, Australia on Saturday.

The incident occurred at Baitul Masroor Mosque in Stockleigh, Logan City, reports news.com.au.

According to statement from Queensland police, the 23-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed, had his drivers license suspended for driving under the influence of drugs earlier in the day.

Police have arrested a man after he drove his car into the gates of a place of worship at Stockleigh overnight.https://t.co/a9ZbPjSEua pic.twitter.com/4UZ9VxbiXT
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) March 17, 2019

After testing positive for drugs and being issued with a court notice and 24-hour driving license suspension on Saturday afternoon, the man drove straight to the mosque and into its closed front gate once he was released from police custody. He then shouted offensive words at the worshipers inside through the open driver's side window before returning home.

Police arrested him from his house overnight, and he has been charged with wilful damage, committing public nuisance, and driving a motor vehicle while suspended.

The incident follows in the wake of a deadly terror attack by an Australian national at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday, which left 50 people dead.