A 32-year-old man has been refused bail after allegedly displaying Nazi symbols and antisemitic imagery on his boat in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales. Jake Dearie faced Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, where police alleged the boat featured swastikas, an image of Adolf Hitler, and a sticker with an antisemitic slur.
Police first attended a home in Swansea on December 6 after receiving reports of the symbols on a boat parked at the property. A subsequent search on Tuesday led to Dearie's arrest. He was charged with displaying Nazi symbols in a public place, offensive behaviour, and breach of bail.
Commonwealth prosecutor Frank Farah opposed bail, describing the alleged display as a 'serious and blatant example of this offending.' He noted Dearie reportedly told police he considered the symbols 'controversial,' but Farah argued they were far more than that, especially given recent events.
Magistrate Elizabeth Bushby said the boat featured professional decals depicting reversed or partially-reversed swastikas and a 'Hitler-looking Nazi' shouting an offensive phrase. She described the material as 'antisemitic symbolism' done professionally.
Dearie's solicitor, Isabel Reed, said her client had no prior offences of this kind and suffered from a back injury causing pain. However, Magistrate Bushby revoked Dearie's existing bail for domestic violence and driving offences, refusing him fresh bail.
The offence of displaying prohibited Nazi symbols in a public place carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. Dearie will remain in custody ahead of his next court appearance.
