A magistrate's restorative justice sentence to encourage an ex-TV star to learn about the Jewish community after he performed a Nazi salute is being challenged by prosecutors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Damien Richardson, 56, was found guilty in November of intentionally performing a gesture that resembled a Nazi salute at a ticketed event, which was attended by neo-Nazis.
He was sentenced to an undertaking, requiring him to shadow a Jewish leader, pen an apology to the community, visit a Holocaust museum, and attend counselling sessions.
Richardson had been speaking at a gathering of the National Workers Alliance at Urban St restaurant in Melbourne's southeast in September 2024, when he made the gesture.
The former Neighbours star complained about The Age newspaper likening him "to Adolf Hitler" before performing the gesture.
The event was filmed live on social media and played to the court as part of a three-day contested hearing, where he was ultimately found guilty.
Magistrate Justin Foster found Richardson knew that what he was doing was against the law as the actor said "are they going to fine or jail me?" while performing the salute.
"It is important that education is extended to you in this case because I still don't think you truly get it," the magistrate said, as he sentenced him in December.
If the conditions of the undertaking were not met, the prosecution could bring the case back to court and Richardson will face a $23,000 fine or 12 months' jail, Mr Foster said.
Richardson appeared via video link in Melbourne's County Court on Friday as he launched an appeal of his conviction.
The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions is also appealing against Richardson's sentence.
Judicial Registrar Alex Wilson ordered the two appeals be heard together and set down a two-day hearing for July.
Police will call two witnesses, including an officer and an expert on Nazi salutes, a prosecutor told the court.
Richardson has changed legal representation for his upcoming appeal, after being represented by Peter Monagle in the magistrates court.
His new barrister, James Catlin, said his client was appealing his conviction for the Nazi salute and also commented on Richardson's "very expensive microphone" as he appeared to be in a recording studio.
Richardson will return to the court for his appeal on July 16.
He starred in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared on Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth before he retired from acting in 2021.
He unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and Victorian elections.
Australian Associated Press
