Two Perth men sentenced over Nazi gestures after March for Australia
A Perth man has been fined after performing a Nazi salute six times at a CBD pub following August’s March for Australia rally, which drew an estimated 10,000 people to the WA capital. A second man, sentenced separately on the same day, avoided jail time for charges involving a Nazi gesture and racial abuse.
On Wednesday, 36-year-old Daniel Stocks walked out of Perth Magistrates Court and told waiting media he was proud to be a neo-Nazi. Stocks had been arrested in Jurien Bay in mid-October and charged with making a Nazi gesture visible in a public place.
Neo-Nazi Daniel Stocks after being charged (Facebook)
The court heard he was recorded by patrons inside Fenians Irish Pub on 31 August, where he was overheard making racial slurs while socialising with other members of the National Socialist Network. Onlookers filmed him performing a Nazi salute. He pleaded guilty and was fined $1800 plus costs.
Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia had earlier condemned his actions as “unAustralian”.
On the same day, 21-year-old Samuel Croll also avoided jail after admitting charges linked to a Nazi salute and racial harassment. Croll, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Town of Mosman Park council in October, was out in Fremantle on 3 October when he assaulted two men without provocation. The fight escalated, and he then struck a police officer who intervened.
After being taken to Fremantle Police Station, Croll yelled racial slurs at officers. CCTV showed him slapping the right side of his chest and raising his hand in a Nazi salute while shouting “f— the Jews” and “heil Hitler”.
A charge of making a Nazi gesture visible in a public place was later withdrawn, but Croll faced sentencing for conduct intended to racially harass during an earlier online livestream in which he yelled Jewish slurs.
Magistrate Andrew Matthews said the Nazi salute was a serious offence and that parliament intended it to be dealt with firmly as a deterrent.
Croll was sentenced to eight months in prison for assaulting the police officer, but the term was suspended for 12 months. He was fined $1000 for racial harassment and $500 for additional charges.
“As much as it has seemed to gain traction in Australia, it is something to be condemned,” he said. “Unfortunately, we may see more offences of this kind if the community continues to put up with people who make these choices.”
“Unfortunately, we may see more offences of this kind if the community continues to put up with people who make these choices.
“Why don’t you choose to lead a more pro-social life, find your kicks some other way?” he asked Croll, as reported in WA Today.
Geoff Midalia, immediate past president of the Jewish Community Council of WA said “The fact that these charges have been brought and finalised is really pleasing. It shows the community that these people are not getting away with it. WA Police do a fine job, and we are very thankful.”
