Man who threatened to burn hijab fined $500, runs from court with head covered
A MAGISTRATE has admonished a man who threatened to torch a Brisbane woman’s hijab with a lighter, labelling his behaviour “offensive” and “anti-social”.
Dominic James Proberts, 44 of Windsor, was fined $500 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday for assaulting a woman outside the Boundary Hotel at West End in September.
Magistrate John McGrath called the unprovoked attack intolerant and frightening.
“Your behaviour was so offensive and so anti-social that not only was it an attack on this particular complainant, but on all those who seek to follow the religion and dress in this way,” he said.
Proberts erratically sprinted from the court down Roma St after the hearing, with a jacket over his head.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Cheryl Sayer said two women left the Indonesian Islamic Society of Brisbane centre together wearing a hijab that covered their heads, neck and shoulders around 1.30pm on September 6.
he said the women walked along Boundary St at West End when they were accosted by Proberts outside the Boundary Hotel.
Sgt Sayer said Proberts leant forward to one of the woman and extended a cigarette lighter near to her face, saying “I want to burn your f###ing scarf”.
She said the women became frightened and looked to another man who was walking out of the hotel for help.
But Sgt Sayer said that man offered the women little comfort, instead walking past them and uttering the word: “Terrorist.”
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