Man denied bail over 53 'serious' hate-related offences in Sydney's inner west
A business in Petersham was defaced. (ABC News: Aaron Hollett)
In short:
Felix Kiera was arrested earlier this month over the alleged vandalism spree.
He has been charged with 21 counts of drawing Nazi symbols and 23 charges of destroying or damaging property.
What's next?
He has been denied bail and will remain on remand while the matter progresses through the courts.
A man charged with 53 hate-related offences including the alleged spray painting of Nazi symbols through Sydney's inner west has been denied bail after a magistrate said a jail sentence is "likely" if he is found guilty.
Felix Kiera was arrested earlier this month over the alleged vandalism spree, which resulted in charges including 21 counts of drawing Nazi symbols and 23 charges of destroying or damaging property.
Warning: This story contains an image of a Nazi symbol.
The 21-year-old is accused of defacing property on six occasions, including the Pride Square display at Newtown, federal election campaign posters belonging to The Greens and Socialist Alliance and an LGBT welcome sign at the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville.
He appeared via audio-visual link in Newtown Local Court on Tuesday, where his lawyer Bill Neild SC entered pleas of not guilty to all charges and applied for bail.
Mr Neild argued "comprehensive" proposed conditions including a curfew and a requirement that he live with his parents would "well and truly" address any concerns from the prosecution.
He told the court the charges may involve offensive material but they did not involve any actual violence.
Swastika was graffitied on a sign at front of Newtown's The Imperial Hotel. (Supplied)
Concern about time in custody
The court heard Mr Kiera has only one previous matter on his criminal history of a "similar" nature.
Magistrate Alexander Mijovich recalled imposing a fine for that previous matter, which involved a Nazi salute performed in the street.
"They are matters that go towards inciting violence towards different members of the community," the magistrate said.
Mr Neild said his client was a young man with some mental health issues.
He said Mr Kiera's time spent in custody on remand "would risk well and truly extending beyond the period of a custodial sentence that could conceivably be imposed", if the offences are proven.
He also said Mr Kiera's parents would notify police of any bail breaches.
The police prosecutor said the alleged offences fell "towards the higher end" of similar crimes and raised concerns including the safety of the community.
The prosecutor said the alleged offences occurred in the early hours of the morning from April 22 and "certainly incite hatred in the community".
Magistrate Mijovic denied bail, saying the protection of the community was "paramount" and the alleged offences were "serious".
"In my view, it's a strong prosecution case on the material before me," he said.
"I gave certain warnings to Mr Kiera … in January to reconsider what he was doing.
"In my view, a custodial sentence is likely."
The case was adjourned to late June.