Alleged extremist Anthony Paul Dobson says living with parents worse than prison, court hears

An alleged extremist is seeking release from prison to his parents’ home despite describing living with them as “worse than prison” in a bail report, a court has heard.

An alleged extremist seeking bail has described his own parents – where he was applying to live if granted bail – as the radicals with an unusual belief system, a court has heard.

Anthony Paul Dobson, 23, of Dudley Park was arrested last year after police raided 15 homes around Adelaide in connection with alleged ideological extremism.

He was allegedly found with guerilla warfare notes, IRA bomb-making instructions and other “recipes for disaster”.

During a bail hearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, police prosecutor Trent Matijevic said a bail inquiry report noted Mr Dobson “would consider being home with his parents worse than actually going to prison”.

“He says they are extremists and have an unusual belief system,” Mr Matijevic said.

“He goes on to say that there is also some tension between him and his parents.”

At an earlier hearing, prosecutors initially supported his release on bail under strict conditions, including that he have no contact with the National Socialist Network or European Australian Movement extremist groups.

neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network's Adelaide members.

But Chief Magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal sought more information, including the bail inquiry report, because she held concerns for the safety of the community.

The court has previously heard the charges against him related to material found on electronic devices seized from his home during the raids, including a handbook for the IRA, footage of the Christchurch terrorist attack and a copy of “The Anarchist’s Cookbook: Recipes for Disaster”.

Emma Shaw, for Mr Dobson, said her client’s parents were supportive and were “more than happy to have him reside at the home”.

She said the bail inquiry report was “perhaps overstating” any potential risks of releasing Mr Dobson on bail.

She said concerns about his alcohol abuse and mental health could be properly managed through stringent bail conditions.

Judge Hribal refused release on bail and said her paramount concern was the safety of the community.

“Matters raised in this home detention report suggest to me that there may be difficulty trying to monitor the defendant adequately in the community,” she said.

Mr Dobson returns to court next month.