Anti-hate campaigners welcome neo-Nazi leader's guilty verdict
Anti-hate campaigners have welcomed a guilty verdict against neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell, who bashed a Nine security guard ahead of an upcoming A Current Affair story.
Today, the Melbourne Magistrates Court threw out the 29-year-old's claim that he was acting in self-defence when he repeatedly punched the Nine guard, causing him to hit his head on the pavement.
Sewell and his associate, Jacob Hersant, turned up to Nine's Docklands offices at 5.05pm on March 1, 2021, demanding to speak with A Current Affair staff.
Thomas Sewell outside court. A Current Affair
Neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell. A Current Affair
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Around a dozen of Sewell's loyal disciples packed the courtroom, as they performed Hitler salutes and white power gestures on their way into the building.
Some wore sunglasses, hats and masks to shield their faces from waiting cameras.
Anti-hate campaigner Dr Dvir Abramovich, who has long spoken out against the rise of white nationalists in Australia, said the verdict sent an "unmistakable message not just to Thomas Sewell but all the Hitler worshippers out there".
Dr Dvir Abramovich. A Current Affair
Thomas Sewell repeatedly punched the Nine security guard. A Current Affair
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"Their hardcore bigotry and their evil ideology of extermination will never find a safe haven in our nation," Dvir, who is chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said.
"What we saw last year, this brutal attack, was hatred, pure and simple.
"And I think it demonstrates (that) where white supremacists gather, violence usually follows."
Thomas Sewell. A Current Affair
Thomas Sewell performed a Hitler salutes and white power gestures on his way into the building. A Current Affair
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Magistrate Stephen Ballek said Sewell was "itching for a fight" when he committed the "sustained and unjustified" attack.
Outside court, Sewell told A Current Affair he had nothing to say to his victim.
"We did not go there looking for violence, but violence met us," he said.
"And I behaved in an honourable way to defend those I care about and I stand by those actions."
He said he would not appeal the verdict.
Sewell, who remains on bail, was found guilty of recklessly causing injury and affray.
He will return to court on January 12 for a further hearing ahead of his sentencing.
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