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9 News
26 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- 9 News
Actor may question 'mathematical formula' of Nazi salute in court case
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the "mathematical formula" of a Nazi salute as he fights charges in court. The former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court today accompanied by his mother. He is charged with performing a Nazi salute at a restaurant in Melbourne's south-east in September 2024. Neighbours star Damien Richardson is the subject of a police investigation after he was recorded allegedly performing the Nazi salute. (Supplied) Richardson had asked police to consider offering him a diversion at a hearing in June, to spare him a criminal conviction, but this was rejected, the court was told today. He has been charged with intentionally performing "a Nazi gesture whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" and that "the display "occurred in a public place, at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon. Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina applied to change the wording of the single charge, to remove "symbol" and "display". He also asked the magistrate to insert the words "Nazi salute" into the charge, and that it "is likely to be confused with or mistaken for a Nazi salute, whilst knowing the Nazi salute is a Nazi gesture". Magistrate Luisa Bazzani approved of the changed wording and ordered the matter be set down for a two-day contested hearing. She said there were two issues: whether Richardson performed a Nazi gesture or salute; and whether he could be exempt under the Act as performing out of "genuine artistic purpose". "What's conceded is the gesture Mr Richardson performed was a Nazi gesture, but not specifically a Nazi salute," La Mattina said. Damien Richardson as Tom Braiden on McLeod's Daughters. (Nine) Defence lawyer Peter Monagle said his client claimed "it was a gesture which was made without thought as to what ramifications there may be". However, Bazzani said Richardson had referred to the fact he may be fined or jailed, while he was performing the gesture. La Mattina said he may potentially call an expert on "what constitutes a Nazi salute" to give evidence to the hearing but flagged he needed further instructions before confirming this. If called, Monagle said he would cross-examine that witness on the "mathematical formula" of what constitutes a Nazi salute, including how high an arm must be raised and the position of fingers. "We would spend extensive time if an expert was called in regards to that," the defence lawyer said. A two-hour live stream of the incident may be played at the contested hearing, but Monagle said he would ask the court to not allow evidence of another speaker at the event. "What he said would be prejudicial to my client's case," he said. Richardson, who is facing a fine of up to $23,000 or 12 months in jail, will return to the court for a contested hearing on November 5 and 6. The first Victorian convicted of performing a Nazi salute in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term but freed on bail pending an appeal. courts celebrities NAZI crime national Australia CONTACT US
The Age
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Age
Offensive slogan emblazoned on fire truck at Melbourne protest
National The Victorian opposition leader has been criticised for attending a protest where an offensive slogan targeting Premier Jacinta Allan was scrawled on a fire truck.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Offensive slogan emblazoned on fire truck at Melbourne protest
National The Victorian opposition leader has been criticised for attending a protest where an offensive slogan targeting Premier Jacinta Allan was scrawled on a fire truck.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Nazi salute 'maths' may be raised in actor's court case
Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the "mathematical formula" of a Nazi salute as he fights charges in court. The former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Tuesday accompanied by his mother. He is charged with performing a Nazi salute at a restaurant in Melbourne's southeast in September 2024. Richardson had asked police to consider offering him a diversion at a hearing in June, to spare him a criminal conviction, but this was rejected, the court was told on Tuesday. He has been charged with intentionally performing "a Nazi gesture whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" and that "the display "occurred in a public place, at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon. Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina applied to change the wording of the single charge, to remove "symbol" and "display". He also asked the magistrate to insert the words "Nazi salute" into the charge, and that it "is likely to be confused with or mistaken for a Nazi salute, whilst knowing the Nazi salute is a Nazi gesture". Magistrate Luisa Bazzani approved of the changed wording and ordered the matter be set down for a two-day contested hearing. She said there were two issues; whether Richardson performed a Nazi gesture or salute and whether he could be exempt under the Act as performing out of "genuine artistic purpose". "What's conceded is the gesture Mr Richardson performed was a Nazi gesture, but not specifically a Nazi salute," Mr La Mattina said. Defence lawyer Peter Monagle said his client claimed "it was a gesture which was made without thought as to what ramifications there may be". However, Ms Bazzani said Richardson had referred to the fact he may be fined or jailed, while he was performing the gesture. Mr La Mattina said he may potentially call an expert on "what constitutes a Nazi salute" to give evidence to the hearing but flagged he needed further instructions before confirming this. If called, Mr Monagle said he would cross-examine that witness on the "mathematical formula" of what constitutes a Nazi salute, including how high an arm must be raised and the position of fingers. "We would spend extensive time if an expert was called in regards to that," the defence lawyer said. A two-hour live stream of the incident may be played at the contested hearing, but Mr Monagle said he would ask the court to not allow evidence of another speaker at the event. "What he said would be prejudicial to my client's case," he said. Richardson, who is facing a fine of up to $23,000 or 12 months in jail, will return to the court for a contested hearing on November 5 and 6. The first Victorian convicted of performing a Nazi salute in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term but freed on bail pending an appeal. Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the "mathematical formula" of a Nazi salute as he fights charges in court. The former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Tuesday accompanied by his mother. He is charged with performing a Nazi salute at a restaurant in Melbourne's southeast in September 2024. Richardson had asked police to consider offering him a diversion at a hearing in June, to spare him a criminal conviction, but this was rejected, the court was told on Tuesday. He has been charged with intentionally performing "a Nazi gesture whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" and that "the display "occurred in a public place, at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon. Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina applied to change the wording of the single charge, to remove "symbol" and "display". He also asked the magistrate to insert the words "Nazi salute" into the charge, and that it "is likely to be confused with or mistaken for a Nazi salute, whilst knowing the Nazi salute is a Nazi gesture". Magistrate Luisa Bazzani approved of the changed wording and ordered the matter be set down for a two-day contested hearing. She said there were two issues; whether Richardson performed a Nazi gesture or salute and whether he could be exempt under the Act as performing out of "genuine artistic purpose". "What's conceded is the gesture Mr Richardson performed was a Nazi gesture, but not specifically a Nazi salute," Mr La Mattina said. Defence lawyer Peter Monagle said his client claimed "it was a gesture which was made without thought as to what ramifications there may be". However, Ms Bazzani said Richardson had referred to the fact he may be fined or jailed, while he was performing the gesture. Mr La Mattina said he may potentially call an expert on "what constitutes a Nazi salute" to give evidence to the hearing but flagged he needed further instructions before confirming this. If called, Mr Monagle said he would cross-examine that witness on the "mathematical formula" of what constitutes a Nazi salute, including how high an arm must be raised and the position of fingers. "We would spend extensive time if an expert was called in regards to that," the defence lawyer said. A two-hour live stream of the incident may be played at the contested hearing, but Mr Monagle said he would ask the court to not allow evidence of another speaker at the event. "What he said would be prejudicial to my client's case," he said. Richardson, who is facing a fine of up to $23,000 or 12 months in jail, will return to the court for a contested hearing on November 5 and 6. The first Victorian convicted of performing a Nazi salute in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term but freed on bail pending an appeal. Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the "mathematical formula" of a Nazi salute as he fights charges in court. The former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Tuesday accompanied by his mother. He is charged with performing a Nazi salute at a restaurant in Melbourne's southeast in September 2024. Richardson had asked police to consider offering him a diversion at a hearing in June, to spare him a criminal conviction, but this was rejected, the court was told on Tuesday. He has been charged with intentionally performing "a Nazi gesture whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" and that "the display "occurred in a public place, at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon. Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina applied to change the wording of the single charge, to remove "symbol" and "display". He also asked the magistrate to insert the words "Nazi salute" into the charge, and that it "is likely to be confused with or mistaken for a Nazi salute, whilst knowing the Nazi salute is a Nazi gesture". Magistrate Luisa Bazzani approved of the changed wording and ordered the matter be set down for a two-day contested hearing. She said there were two issues; whether Richardson performed a Nazi gesture or salute and whether he could be exempt under the Act as performing out of "genuine artistic purpose". "What's conceded is the gesture Mr Richardson performed was a Nazi gesture, but not specifically a Nazi salute," Mr La Mattina said. Defence lawyer Peter Monagle said his client claimed "it was a gesture which was made without thought as to what ramifications there may be". However, Ms Bazzani said Richardson had referred to the fact he may be fined or jailed, while he was performing the gesture. Mr La Mattina said he may potentially call an expert on "what constitutes a Nazi salute" to give evidence to the hearing but flagged he needed further instructions before confirming this. If called, Mr Monagle said he would cross-examine that witness on the "mathematical formula" of what constitutes a Nazi salute, including how high an arm must be raised and the position of fingers. "We would spend extensive time if an expert was called in regards to that," the defence lawyer said. A two-hour live stream of the incident may be played at the contested hearing, but Mr Monagle said he would ask the court to not allow evidence of another speaker at the event. "What he said would be prejudicial to my client's case," he said. Richardson, who is facing a fine of up to $23,000 or 12 months in jail, will return to the court for a contested hearing on November 5 and 6. The first Victorian convicted of performing a Nazi salute in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term but freed on bail pending an appeal. Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the "mathematical formula" of a Nazi salute as he fights charges in court. The former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Tuesday accompanied by his mother. He is charged with performing a Nazi salute at a restaurant in Melbourne's southeast in September 2024. Richardson had asked police to consider offering him a diversion at a hearing in June, to spare him a criminal conviction, but this was rejected, the court was told on Tuesday. He has been charged with intentionally performing "a Nazi gesture whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" and that "the display "occurred in a public place, at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon. Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina applied to change the wording of the single charge, to remove "symbol" and "display". He also asked the magistrate to insert the words "Nazi salute" into the charge, and that it "is likely to be confused with or mistaken for a Nazi salute, whilst knowing the Nazi salute is a Nazi gesture". Magistrate Luisa Bazzani approved of the changed wording and ordered the matter be set down for a two-day contested hearing. She said there were two issues; whether Richardson performed a Nazi gesture or salute and whether he could be exempt under the Act as performing out of "genuine artistic purpose". "What's conceded is the gesture Mr Richardson performed was a Nazi gesture, but not specifically a Nazi salute," Mr La Mattina said. Defence lawyer Peter Monagle said his client claimed "it was a gesture which was made without thought as to what ramifications there may be". However, Ms Bazzani said Richardson had referred to the fact he may be fined or jailed, while he was performing the gesture. Mr La Mattina said he may potentially call an expert on "what constitutes a Nazi salute" to give evidence to the hearing but flagged he needed further instructions before confirming this. If called, Mr Monagle said he would cross-examine that witness on the "mathematical formula" of what constitutes a Nazi salute, including how high an arm must be raised and the position of fingers. "We would spend extensive time if an expert was called in regards to that," the defence lawyer said. A two-hour live stream of the incident may be played at the contested hearing, but Mr Monagle said he would ask the court to not allow evidence of another speaker at the event. "What he said would be prejudicial to my client's case," he said. Richardson, who is facing a fine of up to $23,000 or 12 months in jail, will return to the court for a contested hearing on November 5 and 6. The first Victorian convicted of performing a Nazi salute in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term but freed on bail pending an appeal.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Hundreds more kids to be tested as abuse scandal widens
Hundreds more children face tests for infectious diseases after authorities discovered an alleged sex offender worked at four additional childcare centres. Victorian authorities are working to contact the families whose children attended the centres during Joshua Dale Brown's employment between August 2024 and February 2025. The newly listed locations are all operated by Affinity Education: Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, and Milestones Early Learning centres in Tarneit, Greensborough and Braybrook. Brown was charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight children younger than two at a centre at Point Cook in Melbourne's southwest, between April 2022 and January 2023. Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025, stretching from Williamstown to Sunbury. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed 830 additional families would be contacted, adding to the 1200 who have been urged to have precautionary testing. "This is obviously a highly distressing situation and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low," Dr McGrath said on Tuesday. Melody Glaister's daughter, now six, attended Creative Garden Early Learning Point Cook during Brown's employment at the centre. She had been anxiously awaiting the results of her daughter's test, which came back negative on Tuesday. "We're incredibly grateful and relieved as parents that our child is physically healthy but we are always going to wonder, did something happen to our child," Ms Glaister told AAP. Ms Glaister said she could not believe more families must go through the traumatic process of testing. Police also released an amended list of dates and locations, including for Papilio Early Learning in Essendon where the reported period of Brown's employment was extended by six months. Authorities no longer believe the accused worked at Papilio's site in Hoppers Crossing between August 22, 2024 and March 12, 2025. Families impacted by the date changes will be contacted by the health department from Tuesday. Establishing a complete work history for Brown has been a key focus of the police investigation. "This has been extremely complex due to childcare approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters and other critical information," Victoria Police said. Since the charges came to light on July 1, police have received more than 270 Crime Stoppers reports. An Affinity Education Group spokeswoman said the company had reviewed records to provide information to police about Brown's work history. "We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families, no family should have to go through this," they said. It has been revealed Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations in April 2023 and January 2024 at G8 Education, both unrelated to sexual abuse and occurring after the alleged incidents he was charged over. The investigations took place before his employment with Affinity Education Group, which stated it was unaware of the investigations. The two events were substantiated and reported to state authorities but Brown's working with children certificate remained in place. If the substantiated allegations had been flagged and his working with children check was revoked in 2024, Ms Glaister believes fewer children would have needed to be tested. "If the appropriate action had been taken, it's very likely there would be hundreds of parents right now that wouldn't be in the same situation," she said. A Victorian government spokeswoman said health and mental health support was being offered to families. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Hundreds more children face tests for infectious diseases after authorities discovered an alleged sex offender worked at four additional childcare centres. Victorian authorities are working to contact the families whose children attended the centres during Joshua Dale Brown's employment between August 2024 and February 2025. The newly listed locations are all operated by Affinity Education: Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, and Milestones Early Learning centres in Tarneit, Greensborough and Braybrook. Brown was charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight children younger than two at a centre at Point Cook in Melbourne's southwest, between April 2022 and January 2023. Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025, stretching from Williamstown to Sunbury. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed 830 additional families would be contacted, adding to the 1200 who have been urged to have precautionary testing. "This is obviously a highly distressing situation and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low," Dr McGrath said on Tuesday. Melody Glaister's daughter, now six, attended Creative Garden Early Learning Point Cook during Brown's employment at the centre. She had been anxiously awaiting the results of her daughter's test, which came back negative on Tuesday. "We're incredibly grateful and relieved as parents that our child is physically healthy but we are always going to wonder, did something happen to our child," Ms Glaister told AAP. Ms Glaister said she could not believe more families must go through the traumatic process of testing. Police also released an amended list of dates and locations, including for Papilio Early Learning in Essendon where the reported period of Brown's employment was extended by six months. Authorities no longer believe the accused worked at Papilio's site in Hoppers Crossing between August 22, 2024 and March 12, 2025. Families impacted by the date changes will be contacted by the health department from Tuesday. Establishing a complete work history for Brown has been a key focus of the police investigation. "This has been extremely complex due to childcare approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters and other critical information," Victoria Police said. Since the charges came to light on July 1, police have received more than 270 Crime Stoppers reports. An Affinity Education Group spokeswoman said the company had reviewed records to provide information to police about Brown's work history. "We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families, no family should have to go through this," they said. It has been revealed Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations in April 2023 and January 2024 at G8 Education, both unrelated to sexual abuse and occurring after the alleged incidents he was charged over. The investigations took place before his employment with Affinity Education Group, which stated it was unaware of the investigations. The two events were substantiated and reported to state authorities but Brown's working with children certificate remained in place. If the substantiated allegations had been flagged and his working with children check was revoked in 2024, Ms Glaister believes fewer children would have needed to be tested. "If the appropriate action had been taken, it's very likely there would be hundreds of parents right now that wouldn't be in the same situation," she said. A Victorian government spokeswoman said health and mental health support was being offered to families. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Hundreds more children face tests for infectious diseases after authorities discovered an alleged sex offender worked at four additional childcare centres. Victorian authorities are working to contact the families whose children attended the centres during Joshua Dale Brown's employment between August 2024 and February 2025. The newly listed locations are all operated by Affinity Education: Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, and Milestones Early Learning centres in Tarneit, Greensborough and Braybrook. Brown was charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight children younger than two at a centre at Point Cook in Melbourne's southwest, between April 2022 and January 2023. Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025, stretching from Williamstown to Sunbury. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed 830 additional families would be contacted, adding to the 1200 who have been urged to have precautionary testing. "This is obviously a highly distressing situation and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low," Dr McGrath said on Tuesday. Melody Glaister's daughter, now six, attended Creative Garden Early Learning Point Cook during Brown's employment at the centre. She had been anxiously awaiting the results of her daughter's test, which came back negative on Tuesday. "We're incredibly grateful and relieved as parents that our child is physically healthy but we are always going to wonder, did something happen to our child," Ms Glaister told AAP. Ms Glaister said she could not believe more families must go through the traumatic process of testing. Police also released an amended list of dates and locations, including for Papilio Early Learning in Essendon where the reported period of Brown's employment was extended by six months. Authorities no longer believe the accused worked at Papilio's site in Hoppers Crossing between August 22, 2024 and March 12, 2025. Families impacted by the date changes will be contacted by the health department from Tuesday. Establishing a complete work history for Brown has been a key focus of the police investigation. "This has been extremely complex due to childcare approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters and other critical information," Victoria Police said. Since the charges came to light on July 1, police have received more than 270 Crime Stoppers reports. An Affinity Education Group spokeswoman said the company had reviewed records to provide information to police about Brown's work history. "We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families, no family should have to go through this," they said. It has been revealed Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations in April 2023 and January 2024 at G8 Education, both unrelated to sexual abuse and occurring after the alleged incidents he was charged over. The investigations took place before his employment with Affinity Education Group, which stated it was unaware of the investigations. The two events were substantiated and reported to state authorities but Brown's working with children certificate remained in place. If the substantiated allegations had been flagged and his working with children check was revoked in 2024, Ms Glaister believes fewer children would have needed to be tested. "If the appropriate action had been taken, it's very likely there would be hundreds of parents right now that wouldn't be in the same situation," she said. A Victorian government spokeswoman said health and mental health support was being offered to families. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Hundreds more children face tests for infectious diseases after authorities discovered an alleged sex offender worked at four additional childcare centres. Victorian authorities are working to contact the families whose children attended the centres during Joshua Dale Brown's employment between August 2024 and February 2025. The newly listed locations are all operated by Affinity Education: Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, and Milestones Early Learning centres in Tarneit, Greensborough and Braybrook. Brown was charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight children younger than two at a centre at Point Cook in Melbourne's southwest, between April 2022 and January 2023. Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025, stretching from Williamstown to Sunbury. Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed 830 additional families would be contacted, adding to the 1200 who have been urged to have precautionary testing. "This is obviously a highly distressing situation and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low," Dr McGrath said on Tuesday. Melody Glaister's daughter, now six, attended Creative Garden Early Learning Point Cook during Brown's employment at the centre. She had been anxiously awaiting the results of her daughter's test, which came back negative on Tuesday. "We're incredibly grateful and relieved as parents that our child is physically healthy but we are always going to wonder, did something happen to our child," Ms Glaister told AAP. Ms Glaister said she could not believe more families must go through the traumatic process of testing. Police also released an amended list of dates and locations, including for Papilio Early Learning in Essendon where the reported period of Brown's employment was extended by six months. Authorities no longer believe the accused worked at Papilio's site in Hoppers Crossing between August 22, 2024 and March 12, 2025. Families impacted by the date changes will be contacted by the health department from Tuesday. Establishing a complete work history for Brown has been a key focus of the police investigation. "This has been extremely complex due to childcare approved providers not having centralised records, requiring detectives to execute search warrants to obtain handwritten records, shift rosters and other critical information," Victoria Police said. Since the charges came to light on July 1, police have received more than 270 Crime Stoppers reports. An Affinity Education Group spokeswoman said the company had reviewed records to provide information to police about Brown's work history. "We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families, no family should have to go through this," they said. It has been revealed Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations in April 2023 and January 2024 at G8 Education, both unrelated to sexual abuse and occurring after the alleged incidents he was charged over. The investigations took place before his employment with Affinity Education Group, which stated it was unaware of the investigations. The two events were substantiated and reported to state authorities but Brown's working with children certificate remained in place. If the substantiated allegations had been flagged and his working with children check was revoked in 2024, Ms Glaister believes fewer children would have needed to be tested. "If the appropriate action had been taken, it's very likely there would be hundreds of parents right now that wouldn't be in the same situation," she said. A Victorian government spokeswoman said health and mental health support was being offered to families. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
