Desmond Liddington: Alleged neo-Nazi admits assaulting Black Lives Matter activist Padraic ‘Paddy’ Gibson

An alleged neo-Nazi extremist entered the home of Black Lives Matter activist Padraic ‘Paddy’ Gibson’s Arncliffe home last year. Find out what happened.

An alleged neo-Nazi extremist has admitted to intimidating and assaulting a Black Lives Matter activist in his Arncliffe home.

Desmond Liddington – who has distinctive tattoos on his body and bald head, including an AK-47 gun with the word RAHOWA – appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to two charges.

RAHOWA can refer to “racial holy war” which is a neo-Nazi concept of race war.

Liddington was charged with stalking/intimidation and affray charges after he and two others allegedly went to the home of Black Lives Matter activist Padraic ‘Paddy’ Gibson on December 4, 2021 in Arncliffe and used unlawful violence towards him.

Desmond Liddington was charged with stalking/intimidation and affray charges after he and two others allegedly 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 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 investigators had secured CCTV footage which allegedly depicts Liddington at the time of the incident.

The documents further state 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.

Liddington was previously granted bail at Picton Local Court after a search warrant was executed by police.

At the time, police prosecutor Sharon Garbutt said at the time, the alleged conduct 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”.

Desmond Liddington – who has distinctive tattoos on his body and bald head, including an AK-47 gun with the word RAHOWA – appeared in Sutherland Local Court.

She 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.

Paddy Gibson speaking at the Black Lives Matter protest held at Djabarrgalli, Sydney Domain.

However, Magistrate Mark Douglass noted while they were serious allegations the material “falls short” when it comes to whether it was motivated by extremism. He also took into account Liddington’s criminal record.

On Tuesday, the court heard Liddington is yet to agree to the statement of facts police set out but with minor amendments.

Full details of the incident will be revealed when Liddington is sentenced on December 6.

The court heard Liddington will undertake a psychological assessment before the next court appearance.