Supporters of neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell cause disruptions during court hearing
There were chaotic scenes during the case of a neo-Nazi leader who is accused of assaulting a Channel 9 security guard.
Police & Courts
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An online hearing for a neo-Nazi leader has been disrupted by supporters who displayed an image of Hitler youth, refused to turn on cameras and used fake names.
Thomas Sewell, 29, who leads the far-right European Australia Movement, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he is contesting charges for allegedly assaulting a Channel 9 security guard.
Mr Sewell attended the hearing in-person but was supported by other far-right extremists who joined via video link, with one man displaying a photograph of Hitler youth as a virtual background.
Others displayed fake names such as Kanye West, Dr Mike Oxlong and Nike TN.
Online attendees were told to keep their cameras turned on, prompting one man to complain it was “abuse” because Muslims would not be asked to remove coverings.
Mr Sewell is facing charges including affray, unlawful assault and recklessly causing injury after he allegedly punched a Channel 9 security guard multiple times outside the network’s Docklands studios in March last year.
He went to the studio with a cameraman so he could speak with A Current Affair producers
about a story that was broadcast that night about his organisation.
Mr Sewell claimed the program had falsely labelled his group a terrorist organisation and failed to seek a right of reply.
The security guard told Tuesday’s hearing he escorted the pair out of the building because they were filming inside.
The guard said he was racially abused when Mr Sewell played the song Dance Monkey and said: “The monkey is dancing”.
“I told him there is no need for racial slurs,” he said.
He alleged he was “king hit” from behind and knocked to the ground before Mr Sewell continued punching him.
Others intervened and broke the men up before the guard went back inside.
He was later taken to hospital with injuries including swelling and bruising to his head.
Outside of court, Mr Sewell claimed he acted in defence of another after the security guard lost his temper and grabbed the cameraman by the throat.
He denied racially abusing the guard or playing Dance Monkey.
“When a comment was made by another person, that’s when he attacked that person,” he said.
“He lost his temper and he struck them to the throat and that’s when I defended my colleague.”
Security and mobile phone footage of the fight was played to the court.
The hearing will continue on Wednesday.
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