A Perth man, who was previously convicted for a campaign of racial harassment against his neighbour, has found himself before the courts once more, this time facing allegations of spray-painting Nazi symbols on a public wall.
From Neighbour Dispute to Hate Symbols
Corbin James Birch, 28, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 21 May 2024, to face a charge of criminal damage or destruction of property. The charge stems from an incident alleged to have occurred on Monday, 20 May 2024, at the intersection of Wanneroo Road and Ocean Reef Road in Innaloo.
Police prosecutors told the court that Birch is accused of using black spray paint to deface a wall with symbols associated with the Nazi regime. This new charge comes just months after Birch was sentenced for a separate, racially motivated offence against his neighbour.
A History of Racial Vilification
In February of this year, Birch was convicted in the same court for racially harassing his Indian neighbour. The court heard at that time that Birch had subjected the man to a sustained period of abuse, which included:
- Shouting racial slurs.
- Threatening to decapitate the victim.
- Playing the Nazi anthem loudly from his home.
For that offence, Birch was fined $3,500 and ordered to pay $447.70 in costs. The magistrate noted the serious and hateful nature of the crime during sentencing.
Latest Allegations and Court Proceedings
During the brief hearing for the graffiti charge, police prosecutors requested an adjournment to allow for the collection of further evidence, including CCTV footage from the area. Birch's lawyer did not apply for bail, and the matter was adjourned.
Magistrate Matthew Holgate ordered Birch to be held in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for Thursday, 23 May 2024. At that hearing, Birch is expected to enter a plea to the charge of criminal damage.
The case has drawn attention due to the apparent escalation from targeted racial harassment of an individual to the alleged public display of widely recognised hate symbols. Community leaders and anti-racism advocates often highlight that such symbols are not merely graffiti but represent a severe form of intimidation and a promotion of ideologies rooted in violence and genocide.
The court will reconvene later this week to further address these serious allegations, as the legal process continues to unfold.
