Elderslie man Desmond Liddington granted bail after allegedly stalking Black Lives Matter activist Paddy Gibson

A man who allegedly helped set up a neo-Nazi gang chapter in NSW has fronted court after being charged with stalking Black Lives Matter activist Paddy Gibson (pictured). Read what happened in court.  

A southwest Sydney man who allegedly helped set up a neo-Nazi gang chapter in NSW has fronted court after being charged with stalking a Black Lives Matter activist.

Desmond Liddington, 37, appeared at Picton Local Court to apply for bail after he was charged with affray and stalking and intimidation with the intention to cause fear of physical harm.

The Elderslie man was arrested on Wednesday after a search warrant was executed by police.

Police allege that Liddington and two others went to the home of Black Lives Matter activist Padraic ‘Paddy’ Gibson on December 4, 2021 in Arncliffe and used unlawful violence towards him.

Court documents state that the offence was committed at the address of a left-wing activist at the time when the resident’s wife was at the property.

They also revealed that investigators have secured CCTV footage which allegedly depicts the accused at the time of the commission of the offence.

The documents further state that Liddington has distinctive tattoos which are visible in the footage and during a search warrant upon his premises, clothing matching that depicted in the CCTV was seized.

Black Lives Matter protest organiser Paddy Gibson pictured talking to media outside the Supreme court in Sydney in July 21 after the Supreme Court handed down its decision not to allow the planned protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In court on Monday, police prosecutor Sharon Garbutt said she opposed bail as there were no conditions that would mitigate the risk posed by Liddington to the community.

She said the alleged conduct is related to “the radical beliefs held by the accused” and he was someone who had helped to set up a “neo-Nazi gang chapter in NSW”.

Ms Garbutt said the organisation was known as Combat 18 and chapters of it existed in Australia and internationally.

“The facts before you … establish a strong Crown case and importantly your honour will note, this is the second incident for this type of offending for this accused,” she said.

“The court also knows that this is a person who has an extensive Western Australian record ... you will find on that record an armed robbery.”

Ms Garbutt said Liddington had also been sentenced for placing “Nazi-style paraphernalia” on public property.

“The prosecution’s point really is that what you can see before you is an escalating pattern of behaviour consistent with the accused’s radical beliefs, [and] targeted criminal behaviour consistent with those radical beliefs,” she said.

Liddington’s solicitor David Ryan told the court that there was nothing in the material before the court that made reference to Combat 18, and he was not being charged over this.

Mr Ryan said that most of the matters the prosecution linked to radical beliefs had all been dealt with by way of fines.

Paddy Gibson speaking at a Black Lives Matter protest held at Djabarrgalli (Sydney Domain). Picture: Jonathan Ng

“My client has a stable address in the suburb of Elderslie … that’ a long way away from the area which these offences is alleged to have occurred,” he said.

“He is gainfully employed as a bricklayer.”

Magistrate Mark Douglass noted that while they were serious allegations the material “falls short” when it comes to whether it was motivated by extremism.

“There is some evidence .. that he was that part of an organisation in the past,” he said.

“I am satisfied that he had criminal associations, I am unsure whether they still exist.”

Magistrate Douglass said he had strong community ties, and noted his criminal record but decided to grant conditional bail.

Mr Liddington was released on bail with the condition to abstain from alcohol, report daily to police and follow a curfew of 7pm to 5.30am.

He will face Sutherland Court on May 24 for mention.