Alleged Adelaide Australia Day neo-nazi Stephen Wells argues with SA magistrate over bail cash

An alleged extremist who’s spent a month in custody has been told he can go home after posting cash bail. He didn’t take it well.

An alleged neo-nazi has accused an SA court of flushing “800 years of history down the toilet” by requiring him to post cash, to guarantee his bail, before returning interstate.

On Friday, counsel for Stephen Wells promised he would come back to the Adelaide Magistrates Court and stand trial over the National Socialist Network’s protest march on Australia Day.

Stephen Wells. Photo: Supplied

But when Magistrate Ben Sale suggested a cash surety was needed, and explained it was an ordinary bail condition for persons from interstate, Mr Wells spoke up over video link.

“I was the only one (from the protest) who stayed (in custody), on principle,” he said.

“I chose to stay here because it’s a matter of principle for me, because I want to fight this to the end.”

Mr Sale told him that “sometimes, sticking up for your principles comes at a cost” but Mr Wells said he “had paid, and am still paying, the cost”.

“I’m supposed to have the presumption of innocence, my punishment should not happen until after the trial,” he said.

“Just keep punishing me before the trial, then … 800 years of history has gone down the toilet today … the presumption of innocence is dead.”

His submission failed to impress Ms Sale.

“You might want to tell your client the sort of outburst we’ve just heard doesn’t necessarily speak in favour of a grant of bail,” he told Mr Wells’ lawyer.

Mr Wells, 56, of WA, has yet to plead to one count of loitering and one count of displaying a Nazi symbol or using a Nazi salute.

He was one of 16 people, alleged to be members of the far-right extremist group, arrested while marching through the Adelaide CBD on Australia Day.

Like the group’s leader, Thomas Sewell, Mr Wells was given bail but refused to sign his agreement.

Members of the National Socialist Network marching on January 26, 2025. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

“I do not accept bail conditions, I do not accept the jurisdiction of this court, it has no standing … you can deal with me as you wish,” he said at the time.

He also said he wanted to lodge “formal complaints” alleging “unlawful conduct” by SA Police including “kidnap, assault, withholding medical attention and deprivation of liberty”.

Mr Sewell subsequently signed his agreement, but Mr Wells did not.

On Friday, Mr Wells’ counsel said “one of the reasons” his client had refused bail was his belief it “infringed” upon his “implied right to free political discourse”.

“You say that’s one of his reasons … so I’m getting the favourable ones, not the unfavourable ones,” Mr Sale replied.

He said he was not prepared to consider bail without a cash guarantee and remanded the matter for further hearing next week – at which time Mr Wells apologised.

“My apologies, sir, I’m just very emotional,” he said.

Mr Sale said he understood, given custody was “not an easy place to be”, and said his earlier comments would “not count against” him.