Neo-Nazi’s bail extended after stop-start hearing
A neo-Nazi accused of intimidating a police officer online has described the charges laid against him as false shortly after his bail was extended.
Thomas Sewell went to court with half a dozen black-clad members of the National Socialist Network. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)
Thomas Sewell, 31, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court, charged with intimidating a police officer and multiple personal safety intervention order breaches following police raids targeting the National Socialist Network in November.
Sewell, who represented himself, was accompanied by six people, dressed in black with the group’s insignia displayed on their shoulders.
Despite being listed as a three-day contested hearing on Monday, the case was adjourned after prosecutor Louis Andrews flagged issues with a key witness.
Mr Andrews requested the case be adjourned for at least four weeks after an issue arose with the witness over the weekend.
Sewell expressed concern about the delay, telling magistrate Michelle Hodgson that he wished to speed up this process.
The stop-start hearing lasted several hours, as Sewell pushed to press ahead.
Ms Hodgson ruled in favour of an adjournment, stating that the witness was key to the prosecution’s case, but set a “very short return date” of two weeks.
Sewell previously waived his rights of seeking further legal advice and successfully fast-tracked his case, which is now scheduled for September 1.
Details of the alleged offending were not read in court.
His bail was extended with conditions.
Speaking outside court, Sewell revealed a warrant is out for his arrest following an alleged assault at a march he attended on August 9.
AAP
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