Thomas Sewell arrest
Share and Follow

Police are fighting to keep a neo-Nazi group leader locked up, citing fears of escalating violence after he and his followers allegedly attacked an Aboriginal protest site.

White nationalist Thomas Sewell, 32, applied for bail at Melbourne Magistrates Court today after spending the night behind bars following his arrest outside the court.

He has been charged with 25 offences, including violent disorder and affray after being interviewed over the alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty at King’s Domain in the city centre on Sunday.

Thomas Sewell arrest
Thomas Sewell arrested and charged with 25 offences. (9News)

Prosecutor Jonathon McCarthy asked the magistrate to deny Sewell’s release on bail, arguing he posed an “unacceptable risk to society” because his violence had been increasing.

He was on bail when he allegedly committed the offences and police sought to revoke that conditional release.

Detective Senior Constable Saer Pascoe told the court it was concerning Sewell, as leader of neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network, was allegedly encouraging others to commit violence.

“The applicant’s behaviour in recent times has been escalating in violence and concerning behaviour,” he said.

“He is their leader and has complete control. He has shown he has a large group of followers who will attack on instruction.”

Pascoe referred to Sewell becoming “erratic” after shouting and interrupting a press conference of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan yesterday.

Sewell allegedly led a group of about 30 men dressed in black to storm the Indigenous camp on Sunday evening after attending an anti-immigration rally in the city centre.

“The applicant turned back to the National Socialist Network group and incites the group, by instructing them to charge towards Camp Sovereignty,” Pascoe said.

Thomas Sewell approaches the press conference behind Premier Jacinta Allan and MP Sheena Watts. (Supplied)

Members of the network held down occupants of the camp and began to kick them, he said.

The detective described Camp Sovereignty as “a First Nations refuge” and said another person was struck with a pole, kicked and punched by members of the network.

The incident injured three people, with the worst suffered by a woman who required staples in her scalp to close a wound, the court was told.

Nathan Bull, 23, and a 20-year-old from Ardeer have been charged with violent disorder, affray and other offences following the incident, but they were bailed by police last night.

Sewell had also been arrested and interviewed over an incident on August 9, for which he has been charged with assault and committing an offence while on bail, Pascoe said.

He and a large group of members from his group participated in a march through Melbourne’s city centre and then assaulted a man, the detective said.

Sewell’s lawyer, interstate solicitor Mathew Hopkins, appeared by video link to ask the magistrate to bail his client.

He claimed prosecutors were only using the August 9 incident to “bolster” their argument to deny bail and were intertwining their evidence with a “political attack” on his client.

Thomas Sewell has been charged over the alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty at King’s Domain. (Justin McManus)

In the earlier incident, Sewell was acting in self-defence as the other man had hit him first, Hopkins said.

Sewell never missed a court hearing, was committed to fighting all charges and he needed to be released to help his wife and children return from a holiday in Queensland, he said.

Magistrate Donna Bakos will hand down her bail decision on Friday afternoon.

Sewell appeared in another courtroom after his bail application for a contested hearing over intimidation offences, a matter that had been cut short because of his arrest yesterday afternoon.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said she was aware he was in custody but would like to continue the hearing, which began on Monday.

“I would like to continue,” Sewell said, representing himself.

Prosecutor Melissa Mahady said witnesses were on standby and agreed to proceed, with Sewell asking to get access to his legal documents.

For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Barnaby Joyce Denies Allegations of Abuse as Parliamentary Investigation Looms

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has denied accusations he abused a female staff…
Vision showed two offenders slashing machetes in the direction of a man and woman.

Two Teenagers, Aged 13 and 15, Detained Following Alleged Machete Attack Captured on Video

Police are currently questioning two teenagers, aged 13 and 15, in connection…
Finley Bone, right, has been remembered as a much loved member of her local football club.

Community and Family Stunned by Tragic Lightning Strike Fatality

The young woman tragically killed by a lightning strike on Queensland’s Sunshine…

Senate Faces Turmoil Amid Allegations of Coalition Suppressing Women’s Voices

“I want to ask a question to inform the women in my…

Gareth Ward Receives Five-Year Prison Sentence for Sexual Assault Convictions

This article contains references to sexual assault. A disgraced former minister will…
Fraudster cops 14 years' jail for Ponzi rip-off

Conman Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Ponzi Scheme Fraud

A former laundromat proprietor has been sentenced to 14 years in prison…
Detroit police officer Matthew Jackson during Zoom hearing October 27, 2025.

Police Officer’s Wardrobe Malfunction Caught on Camera

A virtual courtroom drama unfolded this week when an unexpected wardrobe choice…
Floral tributes have been laid outside of Rouse Hill Public School in Sydney's north-west.

Local Community Grieves Loss of Young Girl in Tragic School Incident

Emergency responders rushed to Rouse Hill Public School just before 4 PM…