Man jailed for mimicking ‘gut-wrenching’ Bondi shooting

“(The shooting) was horrific, it was heartbreaking, it was just ongoing drama and trauma,” Judge Michael Barko said today in sentencing the First Nations man.

Judge Barko imposed a prison sentence of twelve months, of which nine months were non-parole.

Earlier, defense attorney Stephen Alexander said his client was not an ideological anti-Semite.

“What he said was anti-Semitic, but he didn’t go out of his way to be anti-Semite,” Alexander said.

“He does not consider himself a racist toward the Jewish community.”

Judge Barko rejected this, noting that McMillan had singled out Jews during his 35-minute tirade.

“No reference was made to any other faith, belief or culture,” the judge said.

The 23-year-old Dubbo man watched the sentencing via audio-visual link from Shortland Prison near Cessnock, stroking his goatee as Judge Barko spoke.

The bricklayer received a reduced sentence after previously pleading guilty to three counts of offensive behavior in a public place and two counts of intimidation.

He will be eligible for release on November 3.

On the walkway, the First Nations mason shouted, “F— the Jews.”

“I’m a Koori, I can do whatever I want,” he said.

McMillan then verbally threatened a 47-year-old man walking by with his family after they made eye contact.

“You wanna fucking leave? I’ll fucking bash you. This is my fucking country,” he said.

The 23-year-old cycled to Waverley Oval, where he intimidated a second visibly Jewish victim as he walked to a synagogue with his son by shouting anti-Semitic comments.

He rode into Bondi Junction where he continued to shout racial slurs after falling from his bike.

He was arrested by NSW Police on February 4.

Alexander told the court today that the incident was sparked by someone responding to his client’s shouts of “Free Palestine” on the pedestrian bridge.

“You are stealing land and killing women and children… just like the white man,” he allegedly said.

The lawyer said his client had used a mix of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA and magic mushrooms.

A psychologist had also provisionally diagnosed that the bricklayer had a complex post-traumatic background as a result of a deprived childhood.

Judge Barko noted that McMillan was on parole at the time, violating conditions imposed by using illegal substances and committing further offenses.

Outside court, Alexander told reporters that the sentence imposed was a fairly fair outcome.

“My client is very happy with it,” he said.

“He’s just going to get on with his life and hopefully do a lot better when he comes out.”

In March, the local court heard that McMillan wanted to apologize to the court for his behavior.

There was no immediate apology today.

McMillan’s friend has been charged in the incident and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Accused terrorist Naveed Akram and his father Sajid opened fire during Hannukah celebrations on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14.

Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and 40 people were injured, while Sajid Akram was shot dead by police.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Be the first to receive your latest news and exclusive stories by following us on all platforms.