‘Jew slayer’: Vile anti-Semitic symbols allegedly found on boat
A Lake Macquarie man who allegedly displayed offensive anti-Semitic symbols on his boat, including upside-down swastikas and a “Jew hunter” sticker, will spend Christmas in jail on remand after he was denied bail by a court on Wednesday.
Jake Dearie, 32, faces a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted after his arrest for allegedly displaying Nazi symbols at a time of growing concerns about antisemitism, a court has heard.
He appeared in court on Wednesday and tried to explain that he was not responsible for the stickers placed on the boat, just minutes after he was told he had been refused bail.
Police launched an investigation on December 6 when they were presented with photographs of a boat bearing a number of anti-Semitic and Nazi symbols.
Judge Elizabeth Bushby told the court police claimed the boat contained professional stickers depicting upside-down or partially upside-down swastikas, a “Hitler-looking Nazi” shouting “Get the Jews” and the words “Jew killer”.
Police raided his home in Swansea on Tuesday when he was arrested and charged.
Police also seized two ships.
He is charged with causing a prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in a public place, offensive conduct and breach of bail.
The court was told that wearing a Nazi symbol carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, with a mandatory minimum of one year.
His lawyer, Isabel Reed, argued in court that although he was out on bail for other crimes at the time, he had no similar offenses on his record and was unlikely to face prison time if convicted.
The court was told he had back surgery to remove the discs and was receiving workers’ compensation.
Prosecutor Frank Farah told the court the alleged offenses were “obvious” and Mr Dearie did not realize how serious they were.
“As far as the symbols are concerned, he says they are controversial, which I think is a little bit more than controversial, especially given what has happened in the last few days,” Mr Farah said.
The court was told he was also on bail for dangerous driving.
“The (alleged) facts of his matter indicate that the police were given a photograph of a ship on 6 December,” Ms Bushby said.
“It contained a number of anti-Semitic symbols. It had professional decals of a Hitler-looking Nazi shouting ‘Take the Jews’, a partially inverted swastika on the right front of the boat, and the words ‘Jew hunter’ on the right rear of the boat.”
“Similar inverted Nazi swastikas were displayed throughout the ship.”
He said Mr Dearie’s continued detention did not prove he was not justified.
“Bail was requested, bail was refused,” he said.
Mr Dearie, who appeared in the online bail court via video link from police custody, attempted to intervene after being told his bail application had been refused.
“Bail denied?” Mr. Dearie asked.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Bushby.
“Although I haven’t completed the wrapping process, there is evidence of it,” Mr. Dearie said.
“I’ve made up my mind, I’m not arguing with you,” said Mrs Bushby.
Mr Dearie will appear in court on January 21.
