Antisemitic vandal likely to avoid criminal conviction

A 17-year-old alleged vandal charged over a pro-Palestinian ­attack that caused more than $100,000 worth of damage to ­Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ electorate office, during which he allegedly hit the glass facade 14 times with a sledgehammer, is on track to avoid a criminal conviction.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and an 18-year-old woman were charged over the vandalism attack in which windows were smashed and slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”, were spray-painted on the St Kilda electorate office of Mr Burns on June 19. Police allege the boy caused $55,000 worth of damage in the alleged vandalism spree that left taxpayers with a total estimated bill of $101,417.

According to a police summary of the offending, an unknown suspect was also captured on CCTV carrying a petrol jerry can.

Police also charged the boy and the woman in connection with a second vandalism incident at the Honorary Consulate General of France on St Kilda Rd on July 17.

There are six other suspects in the two vandalism incidents who are yet to be identified, according to the police summary.

In court, magistrate Elizabeth Langdon heard the boy had been found suitable for diversion, which was supported by the prosecution.

Ms Langdon gave the boy until February 10, the day before he turns 18, to successfully complete four required diversion activities to avoid a conviction.

Ms Langdon said she had read the boy’s report and was “particularly impressed” by his “really insightful reflections”, the impacts on the victims and words to the effect that “it isn’t going to change anything in Gaza right now”.