Melbourne, Australia – Two neo-Nazis, Thomas Sewell and Jacob Hersant, have successfully avoided further jail time after being convicted of a violent attack on hikers at a Victorian state park. The Court of Appeal has dismissed claims that the sentence imposed on the individuals was “manifestly inadequate.”
The Office of Public Prosecutions in Victoria argued that County Court Judge Kellie Blair was too lenient in her sentencing, which allowed Sewell and Hersant to walk free following the attack on hikers at Cathedral Ranges State Park in 2021. The incident involved the pair joining a large group of armed far-right nationalists, leading to the victims fleeing to safety.
Despite the prosecutors’ arguments, the Court of Appeal president Justice Karin Emerton rejected the appeal, highlighting that Sewell had already served six months behind bars in harsh conditions prior to the sentencing. However, the judges did find that Judge Blair was too lenient towards Hersant, who was initially ordered to complete community work.
The judges noted the disparity in prison time served by each of the men involved in the attack. While Hersant had completed 200 hours of community service as part of his sentencing, Sewell’s legal battles have come to an end. Hersant, on the other hand, remains before the courts in a separate case, facing allegations of making an illegal Nazi salute.
In their written judgment, the Court of Appeal judges expressed strong disapproval of the actions of Sewell and Hersant, who were affiliated with the European Australian Movement (EAM) and National Socialist Network (NSN) at the time of the attack. They emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in a civil society, condemning the gratuitous violence inflicted on innocent members of the community.
Despite the conclusion of Sewell’s legal battles, Hersant’s future remains uncertain as he fights the charges brought against him. Victoria Police have alleged that Hersant made an illegal Nazi salute minutes after leaving the County Court last year, making him the first Victorian to face such charges. If found guilty, Hersant could potentially face time in jail.