A self-proclaimed Neo-Nazi leader is making another attempt to secure his release on bail after accusations of orchestrating a violent assault on an Aboriginal protest site. His fiancée is offering $20,000 as collateral for his freedom.

Thomas Sewell, aged 32, made a statement by raising his right hand to photographers while being escorted into Melbourne’s Supreme Court today. He was accompanied by his partner and a group of eight supporters.

Sewell, who heads the white nationalist National Socialist Network, has enlisted the services of prominent barrister Dermot Dann KC to argue his case for bail, following an initial denial by a magistrate in September.

He faces numerous charges stemming from the attack on Camp Sovereignty on August 31, which include violent disorder, affray, launching a missile, and assault by kicking.

Dann argued that it is unjust for Sewell to remain in custody, noting that 15 of his co-defendants have already been granted bail.

He said a trial over the incident, during which about 30 men stormed the Aboriginal protest camp at Kings Domain after attending an anti-immigration protest, might not happen for two years.

The maximum 10-year term for violent disorder was not “in the realm” of any sentence Sewell would be handed for his alleged role in the offending, Dann added.

“If this man is not released on bail, will he spend more time in custody on remand than he would if convicted and sentenced?”

He also pointed to issues in the prosecution case after Sewell was charged with assault against “unknown victims”, who the court heard were yet to be found.

Dann said any risk Sewell posed to the community could be ameliorated by bail conditions, including stopping him from coming into Melbourne’s centre and not contacting co-accused.

Sewell’s fiancée Rebecca Konstantinou told the court she had a $20,000 surety to secure his release on bail, which was funded from her own savings and from “family and friends”.

She previously worked in schools supporting children with trauma, but said she was not currently working as she cared for their two children while Sewell was locked up.

Prosecutor Erik Dober opposed Sewell’s release, saying he was “the initiating force” behind the attack.

“It is the applicant who leads the way, leads a charge of approximately 30 people into Camp Sovereignty, saying ‘let’s get ’em’,” he said.

“That by itself places him in a different situation of seriousness to the others.”

Dober said the trial delay was not unusual and Sewell’s serious role in the incident could see him jailed for close to the 10-year maximum.

The attack on Camp Sovereignty came a day before the 32-year-old was due to attend court over targeted threats to expose a police officer and his wife’s personal information, for which he was later found guilty.

The bail hearing will resume before Justice James Elliott later today.