A British man accused of posting antisemitic material online has faced court, as questions emerged over his bail status and a request for voluntary removal from Australia.
Kayn Adam Charles Wells, 43, appeared in person at Caboolture Magistrates Court in Queensland, wearing an orange T-shirt with sunglasses perched on his head.
His wife and teenage son sat in court, where she became visibly emotional throughout the hearing.
Mr Wells is charged with three counts of displaying banned Nazi symbols and one count of using a carriage service to cause offence.
He was arrested at his Caboolture home in December after police allege he uploaded a series of offensive posts to social media platform X between October 10 and November 5.
Camera IconKayn Adam Charles Wells, 43, is facing three charges of displaying banned Nazi symbols and one count of using a carriage service to cause offence, following alleged posts on social media platform X. Credit: Supplied Source Unknown
Police allege the posts included images of a Nazi swastika and content calling for violence against the Jewish community.
One post allegedly stated: “There is no Aboriginal culture. It’s not a culture. Born here means Australian. Not skin colour.”
Mr Wells has also been accused of continuing to post offensive material after one social media account was blocked, allegedly creating another account with a similar name.
Police further allege a search of his property uncovered weapons, including swords bearing swastikas, axes and knives.
The court was told on Wednesday that Mr Wells was currently on bail but was being held in immigration detention following the cancellation of his Australian visa under character provisions.
Prosecutor Annabelle Bridgland said Mr Wells had signed paperwork seeking voluntary removal from Australia, raising concerns about whether he might have breached his bail conditions.
The court was told police only became aware of the voluntary removal application shortly before the hearing and were considering whether the act of signing the form constituted a breach of bail.
Ms Bridgland said there was “a bit of a tension” between the criminal proceedings, immigration detention, and the Department of Home Affairs processes.
“It’s a process, unfortunately, but we just have to navigate,” Ms Bridgland said.
Legal Aid lawyer Bree-Anna Bowtell advised the court that Mr Wells had lodged an application for legal aid but did not yet have a solicitor.
Ms Bowtell said the matter would need to be adjourned for that application to be assessed.
The magistrate was told Mr Wells’ bail conditions already prohibited him from attempting to leave Australia or applying for travel documents without permission, but the prosecution was considering seeking a formal variation in light of the voluntary removal request.
The court indicated aspects of the case needed to be stood down later on Wednesday to allow further instructions and clarification around bail conditions and immigration processes.
Camera IconProsecutors raised concerns during the hearing about Mr Wells signing paperwork seeking voluntary removal from Australia, which may conflict with his bail conditions. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire
Before the hearing, Mr Wells’ wife Kellie spoke emotionally, disputing the allegations and rejecting claims her husband was a neo-Nazi.
“He’s not a Nazi,” Kellie said.
“He needed psychological help.”
She said Mr Wells had finally begun receiving mental health support while in immigration detention and described him as “not a bad person”.
She told NewsWire the couple met while she was living in the UK, where Mr Wells had lived before moving to Australia, and said they share a teenage son.
“He came here for love,” she said.
