Nazi bailed after ‘leading’ group attack on sacred site

By EMILY WOODS

A neo-Nazi who allegedly led a violent group attack on a First Nations protest camp will walk free from court on bail.

Thomas Sewell, 32, hired a top barrister to argue he should be freed for a second time before Melbourne’s Supreme Court on Wednesday, after an unsuccessful attempt two months ago.

After spending 72 days on remand following his arrest outside Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 2, a judge decided to grant his bail today after considering it overnight.

Justice James Elliott said the prosecution had failed to prove Sewell posed an unacceptable risk to the safety of the community, and there were compelling reasons to justify his release on bail.

Prosecutors claim Thomas Sewell led dozens of men in an attack on Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

He must abide by several conditions, including he not speak to any of his alleged co-accused or attend Melbourne CBD.

Sewell is expected to walk free from court after signing documentation to secure his release on a $20,000 surety his fiancee will put forward.

Many charges

It comes after Magistrate Donna Bakos refused Sewell bail in September as she found Sewell risked endangering the safety of the community if he were to be released.

The leader of white nationalist group National Socialist Network’s raised his right hand to photographers and showed a note to media as he was taken into the court.

Today  he wore the NSN logo on his sleeve, and again looked at media holding up a white paper note.

Neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell could face up to 10 years in jail. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Sewell’s supporters, including his fiancee, attended court as he learnt his freedom bid was successful.

He has been charged with dozens of offences related to the August 31 Camp Sovereignty attack, including violent disorder, affray, discharging a missile and assault by kicking.

Prosecutors claimed Sewell said “let’s get ’em” as he led a group of about 30 men towards the camp, at Kings Domain, which sits on a sacred site for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

‘History of hate crimes’

At least seven people were assaulted, one camp occupant was held down and kicked, another was struck with a pole, kicked and punched, prosecutor Erik Dober told the court on Wednesday.

He said one victim was allegedly thrown to the ground and kicked in the head, requiring seven staples to their head, and another was hit in the head with a flag pole.

Prosecutors opposed Sewell’s release as he was a risk to the safety of others as the leader of a group with “a history of hate crimes and acts of violence”.

Rebecca Konstantinou is putting forward a $20,000 surety to secure Thomas Sewell’s release. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Mr Dober said Sewell’s serious role and “initiating force” in the camp attack could see him jailed for almost the 10-year maximum.

Sewell’s barrister Dermot Dann KC argued it was unfair for Sewell to remain locked up when 14 co-accused had already been bailed.

He said a trial might not happen for two years, and the maximum 10-year term for violent disorder was not “in the realm” of any sentence Sewell would be handed for his alleged role.

Mr Dann said any risk Sewell posed to the community could be ameliorated by bail conditions, including stopping him from coming into Melbourne’s centre and not contacting co-accused.

Sewell’s fiancee Rebecca Konstantinou has put forward a $20,000 surety to secure his release on bail, which she said was funded from her own savings and from “family and friends”.

Justice Elliott agreed with the defence’s submissions as he approved Sewell’s release.

AAP