Melbourne, Australia – The Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions is pushing for harsher penalties for two prominent neo-Nazis, Thomas Sewell and Jacob Hersant, following a group attack described as “terrifying.”
Sewell, 31, and Hersant, 25, were previously convicted of violent behavior towards hikers at the Cathedral Ranges State Park on May 8, 2021. Despite their guilty pleas, they were given relatively lenient sentences last year, leading to prosecutors appealing the decision as being “manifestly inadequate.”
During the attack, Sewell, leader of the European Australian Movement, and Hersant, leader of the National Socialist Network, were part of a group of about 25 males wearing Celtic cross T-shirts, a symbol associated with neo-Nazi groups. The victim, while on a day trip, filmed the group, prompting a violent response where the hikers were physically assaulted and had their belongings taken.
In court, prosecutors argued that the initial sentences did not align with the gravity of the offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. They emphasized the fear and trauma experienced by the innocent victims and the need for a more significant punishment.
Representatives for Sewell and Hersant defended their clients, highlighting factors such as time served and lack of prior convictions for violence. They argued that the original sentences appropriately addressed the seriousness of the crimes.
The Court of Appeal is currently reviewing the case, with a judgment expected at a later date. Both sides presented their arguments, with prosecutors advocating for harsher penalties and defense attorneys arguing for the sentences to remain unchanged.
The outcome of the appeal will determine the fate of Sewell and Hersant, as they await a decision on whether their sentences will be revised. The case has sparked discussions about the appropriate consequences for hate-based violence and the need to address extremism within society.