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Man threatened to fly jet into mosque, Australian court told
Brisbane, June 20: A man who claimed his brother was killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks threatened to fly a Qantas jet into a mosque, a court was told here today.
Brisbane, June 20: A man who claimed his brother was killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks threatened to fly a Qantas jet into a mosque, a court was told here today.
Kevin Edward Kyle, 52, escaped a jail sentence but was put on a good behaviour bond and ordered to perform 180 hours community service after he pleaded guilty in the Brisbane district court to making a threat with violence.
The court heard Kyle, who had six similar previous convictions and a history of alcoholism, telephoned the spiritual leader of the Holland Park Mosque on Brisbane's southside on Sept 16, 2002, and made the threat.
Prosecutors said Kyle had said, "Your people have been flying planes into buildings and we're going to do the same."
School classes at the mosque were cancelled for a week as a result of the threats.
New Zealand-born Kyle, from the Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe, claimed his brother was killed in the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks in New York.
Kyle had also threatened to fly a Qantas plane into a Sydney Muslim religious festival.
But Kyle, who the court was told had a history of making threats, said he had nothing against Muslims. "I never had a hatred for Muslims," he told reporters outside court.
Judge Neil Mclauchlan said Kyle had caused considerable distress to the Muslim community.
Bureau Report
The court heard Kyle, who had six similar previous convictions and a history of alcoholism, telephoned the spiritual leader of the Holland Park Mosque on Brisbane's southside on Sept 16, 2002, and made the threat.
Prosecutors said Kyle had said, "Your people have been flying planes into buildings and we're going to do the same."
School classes at the mosque were cancelled for a week as a result of the threats.
New Zealand-born Kyle, from the Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe, claimed his brother was killed in the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks in New York.
Kyle had also threatened to fly a Qantas plane into a Sydney Muslim religious festival.
But Kyle, who the court was told had a history of making threats, said he had nothing against Muslims. "I never had a hatred for Muslims," he told reporters outside court.
Judge Neil Mclauchlan said Kyle had caused considerable distress to the Muslim community.
Bureau Report