Man rams gate of Australian mosque, shouts offensive remarks

SYDNEY - A drug-affected man has allegedly driven his car into the gates of a mosque in the Australian State of Queensland Saturday evening, shouting offensive remarks at the worshipers inside.

Queensland Police said that the 23-year-old man was stopped earlier in the day for a roadside drug test which returned a positive result.

He was taken into police custody and given a 24-hour suspension from driving as well as an order to appear in court.

After being released from police custody, the man returned to his vehicle which he drove to a nearby mosque, ramming the closed front gate with his car 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 and further charged with one count each of wilful damage, committing public nuisance and driving a vehicle while suspended.

Tensions are heightened for those attending mosques in Australia this weekend following the deadly shootings in New Zealand on Friday which left 50 people dead.