A Brighton-Le-Sands man linked to a white nationalist party faced Newtown Local Court on Thursday after he allegedly threatened to "smash to a pulp" a Melbourne lawyer and journalist who'd written about him.
Nathan Sykes, 50, was arrested at his home in March and charged with three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence; and two counts of using a carriage service to threaten serious harm.
A prolific online troll and a lieutenant of Saleam, Mr Sykes, 50, Mr Sykes allegedly threatened journalist Luke McMahon, who had exposed the alleged extremist in stories in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald as being responsible for several racist and intimidating trolling campaigns targeting high-profile Australians.
Sykes entered court yesterday morning flanked by Australia's most prominent white supremacist, Australia First Party chairman Jim Saleam, and two other men.
He was granted an adjournment until May 2 while he applies for legal aid.
"I would like some time to prepare because this is a very complicated matter ... I do intend to plead not guilty," Sykes told the court.
According to a court document, one of Sykes's alleged offences in January 2018 involved a threat that his people would "stick you out in Melbourne and smash you to a f***ing pulp".
"You dumb f*** you're out of your f***ing league and you're dead".
Another offence, that same month, allegedly involved a threat to "stamp your f***ing teeth into the sidewalk".
Sykes was granted strict bail on March 22 on the condition he doesn't travel to Victoria, doesn't contact the alleged victim and that he surrendered his passport to NSW Police.
In a statement to media outside the court on Thursday, Dr Saleam defended Sykes and accused his alleged victim of harassment.
"Mr Sykes will not rest until the case concludes successfully," he said.
