Benjamin Thomas: Mein Kampf man jailed in Wollongong District Court for coercing minor to destroy ex’s ute
A prison inmate concerned about his treatment in custody has been warned by a judge he “may need to wear a beanie for life” in order to cover a massive tattoo of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto Mein Kampf on his forehead.
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A man with the title of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto Mein Kampf branded on his forehead “may need to wear a beanie for life” according to a judge who sentenced him for coercing a minor to torch his ex’s $90,000 ute.
Benjamin Thomas, 37, was sentenced at Wollongong District Court on Thursday to a maximum of three years and six months behind bars after he used prison calls to convince a minor to destroy his ex-partner’s Ford Ranger.
Thomas previously pleaded guilty to recruiting a child for criminal activity, damaging property by fire, and acting with intent to influence a witness.
Court documents reveal the calls took place in September, 2022, while Thomas was in custody for breaching apprehended violence orders.
“Get something f--king real flammable. Stab some tyres, throw a brick through the bloody car window or something,” he told the minor while blaming his ex-girlfriend for his imprisonment.
The court heard Thomas had only been out of prison for three weeks when he was arrested on June 29, 2023, for orchestrating the arson attack.
While initially ruled out as a suspect due to being behind bars at the time, police read transcripts of the prison calls proving he orchestrated the crime.
During sentencing, the easily distinguishable Thomas’ barrister Michael Valentin requested a closed court due to media attention.
Judge Andrew Haesler refused, citing his “respect for freedom of the press”.
The barrister said his client faced isolation in custody due to his “political ideologies clearly displayed on his forehead” and noted he wanted to wear a beanie in court out of respect, but could not due to the laws preventing it.
“He may have to wear a beanie for the rest of his life,” Judge Haesler said.
Mr Valentin also argued his client was becoming institutionalised and struggled to distinguish right from wrong.
Judge Haesler disagreed, saying he was “already institutionalised”.
“His time in the community is often measured in months,” the judge said.
“His most recent release lasted three weeks before he was back in custody for these offences.”
Crown prosecutor Jacqueline Azad agreed, saying the severity of the crime could not be ignored.
Before delivering his sentence, Judge Haesler said it was important to recognise the offending was committed while he was in custody.
“To set fire to property in public is extremely serious and dangerous,” he said.
“He induced another person to commit the offence on his behalf and that person was a child.”
Thomas was sentenced to a non-parole period of two years and three months and with time already served he will be eligible for release in September.
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Originally published as Benjamin Thomas: Mein Kampf man jailed in Wollongong District Court for coercing minor to destroy ex’s ute
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