Damien Richardson: Ex-Neighbours actor to learn fate for Nazi gesture charge
Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson has returned to court after he was found guilty of performing a gesture that resembles a Nazi salute.
A former Australian TV star will learn his fate after he was found guilty of performing a gesture that resembles a Nazi salute.
Damien Richardson - known to audiences for his roles including on Neighbours, Blue Heelers and McLeods’ Daughters - was captured on video throwing his right arm in the air during a political event at a McKinnon restaurant on September 14 last year.
The event was held by the National Workers Alliance, an organisation whose mission includes “Preserve Western Culture and Identity” and “Protect Family Rights & Traditions”.
During his speech to the crowd, Richardson acknowledged there wer emembers of the neo-Nazi group, The National Socialist Network, in attendance.
The 56-year-old was found guilty after a three-day hearing in the Moorabbin Magistrates Court last month of performing a gesture that could be confused with a Nazi salute, but was not a Nazi salute.
Richardson returned to court on Thursday morning as prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina and his lawyer Peter Mongale began making submissions on the ultimate sentence.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 120 penalty units, 12 months’ imprisonment or both.
Richardson had pleaded not guilty, arguing the gesture was “theatre” during a paid gig — with performance being a lawful excuse.
In the video, Richardson complained about an article published by The Age newspaper he claimed “likened” him to Adolf Hitler due to his views.
“Yep that guy, am I allowed do do that?” Richardson said performing the gesture to cheers and claps from the crowd.
“Or am I going be fined now or am I going to go to jail for five years?”
Magistrate Justin Foster found the gesture was “a mocking gesture” and Richardson was clearly trying to make a point.
“It was trying to demonstrate that he clearly wasn’t Adolf Hitler, he wasn’t a Nazi,” he said.
After retiring from acting in 2021, Richardson unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in both the 2022 Australian federal election and the Victorian state election the same year.
