Man charged over alleged hate crime in inner Sydney suburb

A man will face court after allegedly committing a hate crime in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. On Sunday evening about 11.30pm, two men, aged 31 and 34, were walking down Palmer Street in Darlinghurst, inner east Sydney, when they were approached by an unknown man. “It will be alleged that the older man was threatened before he and the younger man left the scene,” NSW Police said. A short time later, the unknown male allegedly drove past the pair in a vehicle several times, making repeated homophobic and other offensive comments. There were no reports of any person being physically injured. After police were notified of the incident, officers stopped the vehicle near Bourke Street and spoke with the two seated inside. A 24-year-old male was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station. The passenger was released with no further action. The 24-year-old was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal) and common assault. He was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday December 10.