FORMER Neighbour star Damien Richardson has been found guilty of performing a Nazi salute in public.
The Aussie soap star, 56, was charged with performing the banned gesture during a political event at a McKinnon restaurant on September 14 last year.
He performed the banned gesture while mocking a news article that he claimed “likened” him to Adolf Hitler.
Following a three-day trial at the Moorabbin Magistrates Court magistrate Justin Foster found Richardson guilty of performing a gesture that could be confused with a Nazi salute, but was not a Nazi salute.
“I do find a Nazi gesture… has been performed,” he said.
“For those reasons I find the accused guilty of the charge.”
Mr Foster added he did not find Richardson had performed a Nazi salute, but that he made a gesture likely to be confused with, or mistaken for, that offensive gesture.
Previously, the court heard it was accepted that Richardson made a gesture but he argued it was not a Nazi salute and, if it was, it was a “theatrical performance”.
Footage showed Richardson throwing his right arm in the air during a ticketed political event held by the National Workers Alliance, a group whose mission includes “Preserve Western Culture and Identity” and “Protect Family Rights & Traditions”.
In a video posted on social media and played in the courtroom, Richardson complained about an “anti-white male agenda” and “wokism” in Australia, suggesting white Australians are being made to feel like an “illegitimate culture”.
He added he was “enraged” about allegedly being labelled as a neo-Nazi for being involved in anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protests during the pandemic.
Richardson said: “I grew up celebrating my grandfather’s war effort.”
He added he was “enraged” about allegedly being labelled as a neo-Nazi for being involved in anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protests during the pandemic.
Richardson said: “I grew up celebrating my grandfather’s war effort.”
He then alleged The Age newspaper “likened me to Adolf Hitler” in an article dating from August 2023 and raised his right arm as the crowed clapped and cheered.
He said: “Yep that guy, am I allowed to do that or am I going to be fined now?
“This is absurd, this is insane, this is crazy … just the slur alone is enough to do the damage.”
Richardson’s solicitor Peter Monagle said his client was paid $500 to perform at the event and the alleged salute was parody or satire of the alleged claim made by The Age.
Mr Monagle added Richardson was not a member of the National Workers Alliance and had differing views to its leader Matt Trihey.
Under Victorian law, there are a number of legal reasons why a person may be allowed to perform a Nazi salute, these include for artistic purposes which would include a theatrical performance.
However, prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina argued Richardson’s alleged Nazi gesture did not represent a theatrical performance but was done in the context of a speech.
