By Elham Asaad Buaras
A man has been charged after allegedly leaving a device at a mosque on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, but his court case has been delayed due to an incomplete mental health assessment.
Matthew James Bailey, 34, faces one charge each of trespass, obstructing police, and making a bomb hoax after allegedly placing a device inside the Islamic Society of Gold Coast Mosque in Arundel.
Queensland Police said officers received reports of a suspicious item at the mosque on Allied Drive at approximately 8:43 PM on September 8.
“The Explosive Ordnance Response Team (EORT) located the device and deemed it safe,” a police spokesperson said. “There was no risk to the community. Investigations are ongoing.”
CCTV footage reportedly shows Mr Bailey placing the device inside the mosque before leaving the premises.
The Islamic Society of Gold Coast Mosque in Arundel, Queensland, where a device was placed on September 8, as part of bomb hoax. (Credit: Google Maps).
During his court appearance at Southport Magistrates Court on September 9, Bailey, dressed in prison greens, applied for bail. However, the court was told a mental health assessment ordered during his previous appearance on Monday had not occurred, as no facility beds were available.
Magistrate Dominic Brunello described the prior assessment as “incomplete” and ordered Mr Bailey to be returned involuntarily to a hospital for a “sufficient and appropriate, comprehensive” mental health evaluation.
Court documents list Bailey’s occupation as a console operator, and state he is originally from Bangor, on the North Wales coast of the UK.
The incident has left the local Muslim community deeply concerned. Mosque chairman Hussin Goss said: “Even though it was a non-explosive device, it is alarming that someone would go to the effort of constructing a device to look like a bomb and enter a place of worship during busy hours. Acts like these spread fear within the community.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate expressed his sympathies to the mosque and the Muslim community, while Ali Kadri, chief executive of the Islamic College of Brisbane, urged authorities and the public to take such incidents seriously.
“Our families, children, and places of worship deserve the same protection as anyone else,” Kadri said. “Across our mosques and centres, we remain committed to nurturing confident Muslim children who embrace their faith while contributing positively to society. Everyone has the right to safety and dignity. Hate will not prevail.”
Feature photo: Matthew James Bailey has been charged with trespass, obstructing police, and making a bomb hoax after allegedly leaving a device at a Gold Coast mosque over the weekend. (Credit: Supplied/Channel 7)
