Youth rams Australian mosque gates, shouts abuses

A youth rammed his car into the gates of a mosque in Australia's Queensland and shouted offensive remarks at the worshipers inside, police has said.

The incident took place on Saturday evening. The 23-year-old youth was stopped earlier in the day for a roadside drug test which came out to be positive, Xinhua on Sunday quoted Queensland Police as saying.

He was taken into custody and given a 24-hour suspension from driving.

But, after being released, the man returned to his vehicle which he drove to a nearby mosque, ramming the front gate and causing minor damage to the property.

He then allegedly shouted offensive words through his open window, directed at the people inside, before driving home where he was located by police.

The man was arrested again and further charged with one count each of wilful damage, committing public nuisance and driving a vehicle while suspended.

This incident follows the Friday terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand in which 50 people died.

--IANS

mag/bc