Thomas Sewell, a 32-year-old neo-Nazi leader, has been found guilty of intimidating a police officer and his wife. The verdict was delivered after a week-long hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Sewell represented himself during the proceedings, which included serious allegations of threats and harassment.

Sewell was arrested on September 2 while attending court for a separate case involving an alleged attack on an Indigenous site. He continued to participate in his own hearing from behind glass, surrounded by security personnel. The charges stem from incidents in October and November of last year, where Sewell allegedly threatened to publicly release personal information about the officer and his wife on podcasts.

In one podcast, Sewell stated, "I’m working out how to dox him because those doxing laws haven’t come into effect yet. Like his wedding photos, we’ve got it all downloaded, he’s a fucking idiot." This statement was part of the evidence presented against him.

The police officer testified about the emotional toll the threats had taken on him and his family. He described feeling "highly anxious" and uncertain about what Sewell might do with the information he had. The officer's wife did not testify in person, but her written statement was submitted to the court. She expressed feeling "really intimidated and threatened" and believed they were in danger.

Sewell argued that he was merely holding the police accountable and exercising his right to free speech regarding public affairs. However, Magistrate Michelle Hodgson rejected this defense. She stated that Sewell had targeted the officer's private life and that his actions went beyond political discourse.

"There were threats of doxing, openly contemplating circulating this material," Hodgson said. She noted that Sewell's comments were not legitimate political communication but rather an attempt to instill fear through intimidation.

Sewell was found guilty of three counts of intimidation against the police officer and his wife, which could result in imprisonment. He was also found guilty of two counts of violating personal safety orders, while two other charges related to those orders were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

The magistrate ruled that there was not enough proof that Sewell failed to comply with police directions to provide passwords for his devices during a search warrant, leading to his acquittal on that charge. A plea hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Supporters of Sewell, including Jacob Hersant, were present in court or watching online during the proceedings. Following the verdict, police arrested another member of Sewell's neo-Nazi group outside the courthouse.