Melbourne couple were 'blessing' sites during alleged vandalism spree, court hears
Heritage-listed Sun Loong is one of Bendigo's most significant Chinese cultural symbols. (ABC News: Bang Xiao)
In short:
A court has heard a Melbourne couple accused of damaging cultural artefacts in Bendigo were trying to bless the objects.
A century-old processional dragon was allegedly damaged, along with multiple memorials, gold rush statues, tombstones and plaques.
What's next?
The case will return to court in October.
A Melbourne couple thought they were blessing items when they allegedly damaged thousands of dollars' worth of cultural and historic sites in the Bendigo area, a court has heard.
Bendigo Magistrates' Court was told Seabrook couple Gerhardus and Chrisna Snyman "sprinkled" vegetable oil over multiple cultural landmarks during a visit to the regional city in May, 2024.
The couple's children were with them at the time.
The court heard Mr Snyman told police it was "cheap oil off the shelves" that he believed would either wash away in the rain or be cleaned off.
About a dozen statues located at the Great Stupa were allegedly damaged. (Supplied: Golden Dragon Museum)
Prosecutors, however, alleged the oil damaged significant artefacts, including items at the Golden Dragon Museum, the Great Stupa and a Jewish monument.
These included alleged damage to a century-old processional dragon, Loong, as well as the newer Sun Loong, plus multiple memorials, gold rush statues, tombstones and plaques.
Senior Constable Taryn Cooper told the court the pair appeared to avoid being seen by others and that CCTV showed them sprinkling the oil on the monuments.
Senior Constable Cooper told the court that when police arrested the couple at their home they discovered that parts of the residence were covered with "bits of bible passages".
The Snymans are facing 39 charges, including criminal damage.
Magistrate Jarrod Williams described the matter as a "rather unusual case".
Chrisna and Gerhardus Snyman are accused of damaging Bendigo cultural sites. They told the court they were trying to bless the objects in question. (ABC Central Victoria: Sarah Lawrence)
Barrister questions estimates
Earlier this year the court heard the total cost of damages exceeded $300,000.
But some of the artefacts have been repaired and defence lawyer Marko Habib disputed the costs cited by Victoria Police.
Mr Habib told the court the estimate was based on quotes that included travel and other costs.
He told the court that police emailed him on Friday August 29 and stated that they needed more time to review the costs, but he never heard back from them.
The committal mention heard the cost of the alleged damage to 21 items at the Golden Dragon Museum was unclear.
"Clients are entitled to know how that figure is arrived at," Magistrate Williams said.
"The accused are at a real disadvantage here."
The case was adjourned until October 13.