United Patriots Front trio convicted, fined over Bendigo mosque ‘beheading’ video stunt
LATEST: Three men involved in a video stunt where a dummy was “beheaded” in protest against a Bendigo mosque are the first to be convicted under a little-used law.
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THREE men involved in a video stunt where a dummy was “beheaded” in protest against a mosque in Bendigo have been fined.
United Patriots Front leader Blair Cottrell, 27, and supporters Neil Erikson, 32, and Christopher Neil Shortis, 46, were each convicted and fined $2000 for knowingly engaging in conduct with the intention of inciting serious contempt for or revulsion of a class of people, namely Muslims, under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
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They are the first to be convicted of the crime since the Act came into force in 2001.
The men were charged in 2015 after they made a video protesting the construction of a mosque in Bendigo in which they beheaded a dummy with a toy sword and spilt fake blood on the footpath outside Bendigo City Council offices.
The three indicated they intended to appeal the decision, which will see the matter return to the County Court at a later date.
In finding the men guilty, Magistrate John Hardy condemned their behaviour, declaring they had each “crossed the line”.
But he applauded the men, who represented themselves, for their behaviour throughout the two-day contested hearing.
A day earlier, a large crowd of anti-racist protesters loudly condemned the men and their supporters as they entered the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Dozens of police lined the courthouse, with parts of William St blocked during the morning peak.
On hearing his sentence, Mr Shortis — who said he has aspirations of entering politics — maintained his opposition to the little-used law.
“I don’t recognise that law,” he said.
He said people had mocked his Christian faith without recourse.
“A court of law is not a place for hurt feelings,” he said.
The Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew charges of wilfully damaging and defacing the footpath and wall.