White supremacist Thomas Sewell is facing time behind bars after a Melbourne magistrate found him guilty of a “sustained and unjustified” attack on a security guard, who was also subjected to racial abuse.
Sewell, 29, had argued he was acting in self-defence when he repeatedly punched a security guard in the head outside Channel Nine’s Docklands headquarters after being refused a meeting with producers of A Current Affair.
Thomas Sewell outside of court during his contested hearing.Credit:Justin McManus
Magistrate Stephen Ballek found the security guard acted in a calm, professional and firm manner as he ushered Sewell and his friend, Jacob Hersant, away from the building before he was punched in the face six times.
Sewell’s legal team had alleged the security guard grabbed Hersant around the throat, as he tried to film, but Ballek said there was no evidence this had happened.
“You leapt in with sustained and unjustified violence,” Ballek said. “A strong man brutally punching an unsuspecting victim to the face.
“[The victim] acted the entire time very professionally. You, on the other hand, appeared to be itching for a fight.”
A man attacks a Channel Nine security guard on March 1, 2021. Police allege the attacker was Thomas Sewell.
Sewell earlier told the court the pair had attended the Channel Nine headquarters in an attempt to talk to A Current Affair producers after learning the program was due to air a segment about his group.
The 29-year-old said he believed the segment intended to label his group as extremists and “next-door terrorists”.
Soon after they were told no one would come out to see them, Hersant began filming Sewell in the foyer when the security guard advised them they could not film inside the building.
The pair were ushered outside the building, which also houses The Age offices, before they were asked to move further from the building if they wished to record.
There, camera footage captured Hersant, 23, referring to the security guard as a dancing “monkey”.
Ballek said the security guard then placed his hand on Hersant’s shoulder in an attempt to move him further from the building when Sewell stepped in and struck him repeatedly in the face.
Sewell and the victim then fell to the ground, where the security guard struck his head on the concrete.
Following the incident, Sewell recorded himself saying: “We haven’t advocated for any terrorist … we advocate for white people.”
Thomas Sewell (far left) arriving at court with his supporters this week.Credit:Justin McManus
Ballek said the victim showed considerable self-control in the face of a very challenging situation, and called Hersant’s racial taunt against him “despicable”.
He also noted the security guard went on to give evidence in difficult conditions in front of a courtroom full of Sewell’s “supporters”.
“It must have been very difficult for him to not only relive this violent episode but also to face again the indignity and humiliation of having to discuss the circumstances of the snide and offensive racial slur in which he was referred to as a monkey,” Ballek said.
Crown prosecutor Paul Stefanovic said despite Sewell having no prior criminal convictions, he now potentially faced a term of imprisonment, with the magistrate finding him guilty of affray and recklessly causing injury.
The matter will return to court in January.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
Most Viewed in National
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article
