Thomas Sewell, 32, was hit with 25 charges over the incident at Camp Sovereignty last weekend. Photo: ABC News: Justin Hewitson
Neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell has been denied bail over charges linked to an attack on a First Nations camp in Melbourne over the weekend.
Sewell faced court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody after police argued he was too dangerous to be allowed to walk the streets.
The 32-year-old was hit with 25 charges, including violent disorder, affray, assault, discharging a missile and other offences over the incident at Camp Sovereignty on Sunday.
Sewell's defence lawyer Matthew Hopkins pushed for him to be released on bail, arguing the investigation was still at a preliminary stage which could delay the sentencing.
He told the court the time his client would spend on remand could exceed a future sentence.
"It's likely that the matter could run for 12 months before being heard," Hopkins said.
He rejected claims that Sunday's incident was a racially-motivated attack, saying witness statements had only been taken from victims.
"It's quite evident that Mr Sewell has been overcharged and we would submit that a lot of these charges would be ordered into a narrower field."
The prosecutor told the court that the maximum penalties for some of Sewell's charges were between five and 10 years, arguing his time on remand was unlikely to exceed his sentence.
"This is a serious example of violent disorder with that aggravating feature and I submit there is ample circumstantial evidence that this was racially motivated."
Thomas Sewell. Photo: AFP / WILLIAM WEST
Magistrate Donna Bakos refused to grant bail to Sewell, telling the court she believed there was a risk he would endanger the safety and welfare of another person.
The magistrate also raised concerns that Sewell would interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice.
"I understand there is video footage of these events," she said.
"I find the prosecution case in the Camp Sovereignty matter to be strong."
She also told the court people had the right to go about their lives without being confronted by hateful speech.
The court heard there was evidence that Sewell was not residing at his listed address prior to his arrest, despite already being on bail.
Sewell was supported by about a dozen of his followers as he faced court.
Earlier this week, Detective Senior Constable Saer Pascoe told the court that Sewell should be refused bail because he posed an unacceptable risk to the community.
"The applicant's behaviour in recent times has been escalating in violence and concerning behaviour," he said.
Charges laid over Anzac Day disruption
Police have charged one of Sewell's associates over booing at the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier this year.
The event was disrupted during a Welcome to Country address, when members of the crowd began to jeer and heckle.
Some hecklers demanded the Welcome to Country be stopped, but were drowned out by applause from the rest of the gathered crowd.
A 23-year-old Mooroolbark man was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with behaving in an offensive manner, offending against decency and taking part in a disturbance.
Victoria Police confirmed the man was arrested alongside Thomas Sewell outside the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
He will face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 17.
The man also faces charges related to an attack on Camp Sovereignty on Sunday.
Dawn service disruption sparked outrage
The solemn mood of the event in April was broken during the Welcome to Country address given by Bunurong (and Gunditjmara, on his mother's side) man Uncle Mark Brown.
The ABC understands a group of far-right extremists was present at the Shrine.
Police were later seen escorting prominent Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant away from the service.
In November, Hersant was the first Victorian found guilty of performing an illegal Nazi salute in public and was sentenced to one month behind bars.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the heckling at the Melbourne service was a disgrace.
"This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice," he said in April.
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