Christian Boyle: Man accused of displaying ‘Nazi’ banner on M1 faces Southport court
A Gold Coast man allegedly involved in hanging a “chilling” banner with Nazi symbols and offensive messages over the M1 has entered a plea to the charge. Find out what happened in court.
Police & Courts
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A Gold Coast man allegedly involved in displaying a banner with Nazi symbols and offensive messages on the M1 has denied the claims in court.
Christian Boyle, 43, pleaded not guilty to public nuisance at the beginning of his hearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
It is alleged the Oxenford man was among several people seen draping a banner with a swastika symbol and offensive slogans on an overpass on the M1 on November 26 last year.
It was reported at the time that the banner displayed a swastika next to the Star of David and hammer and sickle symbol.
A witness told the court “Hitler was right” was also written on the banner.
Members of the group were allegedly seen with their arms raised in what appeared to be a ‘Nazi salute’.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Glenn Whittle told the court officers allegedly found the banner along with clothing and a face mask they believe was worn by Mr Boyle during the incident when they searched his home in January.
Snr Sgt Whittle said photos and social media posts were also allegedly found on phones belonging to Mr Boyle and an associate.
Evidence was heard on Tuesday from two witnesses who saw the banner while driving on the highway.
Both told the court their attention was first grabbed by the figures dressed in all-black and then the large swastika symbol.
“It was chilling, to be frank – I don’t consider myself easily rattled, but seeing that was confronting and shocking,” one said.
“I was worried – I have such a deep association with hate acts and violence and aggression with (the swastika), that it shocked me that I was seeing it in front of me,” the other said.
Both witnesses said it was difficult to identify the people involved beyond ‘male figures’ or thoroughly read the banner due to their driving speed.
The court was told both drivers called triple-0 to report the display.
A self-represented Mr Boyle claimed the banner was designed to question why the swastika – which he labelled a symbol of “political extremism” – was being banned, but not others such as the hammer and sickle associated with communism.
Mr Boyle showed photos of the banner to both witnesses and asked whether they now had a clearer understanding of the author’s intent, but they denied any positive interpretation.
The hearing was adjourned part-heard. Three police witnesses are expected to give evidence when proceedings resume on October 13.
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