Woolworths Australia Day row: Man blames ‘out of body experience’ for allegedly trashing supermarket in protest
A man accused of vandalizing a Woolies store over the company’s decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise is facing a lengthy delay in his case as medical records are not made public.
Travis Matthew Profke was not required to attend the Brisbane Arrests Court when his case was briefly mentioned on Wednesday morning.
The 40-year-old initially blamed an “out of body experience” for his alleged damage to a Woolworths store in suburban Brisbane in early January.
He is accused of lighting a flare at the door and spray-painting ‘5 days 26 Jan Aussie Oi Oi Woolies F*** U’ and ‘boycott Woolies’ on the storefront.
Mr Profke’s lawyer, Hugh Stitt, requested a six-week postponement during Wednesday’s brief speech.
Travis Profke (pictured) has blamed an ‘out of body experience’ for hitting Brisbane Woolworths over the company’s decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise
He said Mr Profke’s medical records, including disclosure of his hospital records, were still open.
The court was told a case conference could take place at the Arrests Court to avoid further delays if the case was sent to the Brisbane Magistrates Court list.
Mr Profke’s bail was continued and the case will be referred to the Arrest Court again on May 1.
Mr Profke faces three counts of intentional damage by graffiti and two counts of malicious damage.
Police allege he defaced a Woolworths store on Commercial Rd in Tenerife on January 15, spray-painted a message on the storefront boycotting Woolworths and set off a flare, triggering the building’s fire alarm.
The alleged attack was captured on CCTV footage and released to the public by police.
Mr Profke’s other allegations of malicious damage relate to allegations that other properties in Cleveland and Victoria Point were destroyed days before the Tenerife store was due to be targeted.
Profke is said to have lit a torch at the door and spray-painted ‘Aussie Oi Oi Woolies F*** U’ and ‘boycott Woolies’ on the storefront in Tenerife for 5 days (photo)
In an interview with 7 News, Mr Profke said the alleged incident was an “out of body experience” and expressed regret but stood by his message to Woolworths over their decision on Australia Day merchandise.
“It was not a conscious episode,” Mr Profke said.
“It wasn’t the right way to go about this.”
Under his bail conditions, he is banned from going within 50 meters of a Woolworths store.
Woolworths sparked national outrage after announcing it was dumping its Australia Day-themed merchandise from stores including Big W earlier this year.
The company said the “gradual decline” in demand for the goods over the years was behind the decision, along with “broader discussion” about the January 26 date and “what it means” for different parts of the community.