Court backlog helps accused anti-Israel vandal get bail

One of the men allegedly behind a graffiti spree targeting the Jewish community has been granted bail in part due to a court backlog.

Thomas Stojanovski, 20, has been behind bars since November 28, a week after an anti-Semitic vandalism spree in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, home to a large Jewish community, on November 21.

Four properties and 10 cars were sprayed with slogans such as "F--- Israel" and "PKK coming", apparently referencing the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

READ MORE: Qantas pauses international, domestic flights for next 48 hours

The Woollahra incident came amid a spate of antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne, including razing of a synagogue, and a graffiti and fire-bombing attack on a prominent Jewish leader's former home.

Stojanovski was arrested after police found his fingerprints in a car allegedly left at the scene by the group behind the vandalism.

His bail hearing was told he held a light while his accomplice sprayed hateful slogans.

Stojanovski was granted bail this week after Supreme Court Justice Julia Lonergan accepted there was a real threat the time spent waiting for the case to conclude would exceed any potential minimum jail term.

While the offences were serious and the crown case appeared strong, any potential jail term would need to take in a number of wide-ranging factors.

READ MORE: Aussie town's beloved icon falls victim to Cyclone Alfred

"If I refuse bail today, Mr Stojanovski, who is entitled to the presumption of innocence, will be in custody bail refused for a period of between nine and (I estimate up to) 18 months waiting for sentence to be passed or trial," the judge said on Wednesday, in a judgment published on Thursday.

That was not to say it was the only factor.

Justice Lonergan noted she would have no hesitation refusing bail if conditions were unable to address an unacceptable risk Mr Stojanovski "would go out and do this again, either alone or with others".

She also underlined the vandalism was a series of planned and focused hate crimes that made the community unsafe, and promoted fear and loathing of particular groups.

"I am aware of the level of community shock and outrage arising from these crimes," she said.

But she said the risk of re-offending could be managed, and the 20-year-old's first stint in custody has "no doubt been salutary".

He also faced orthopedic problems including a wrist fracture that required surgical attention.

Stojanovski's strict bail conditions require him to remain at home except in the company of a parent or when reporting each day to police.

He must also abstain from alcohol and other non-prescription drugs and cannot enter Woollahra.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.