A man from Dianella, Damian Joshua Arkeveld, faces the prospect of imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges related to racial hate crimes. The 27-year-old was responsible for a series of antisemitic graffiti incidents that occurred in multiple Perth suburbs over a brief span of just eight hours, during which he sprayed offensive messages and swastikas on walls, signs, and two bus stops.
Originally charged with multiple offences, some of these were later downgraded, allowing Arkeveld to admit guilt. The only graffiti damage that remains classified as racially aggravated is from the Dalkeith area, which displays a level of hostility towards the Jewish community in Western Australia, according to the police.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Arkeveld was not acting alone; his co-accused, Justin Charles Robinson, is alleged to have been the driver during these incidents. As of now, Robinson is out on bail and has yet to enter a plea regarding his charges.
Arkeveld’s legal representative, Jack Hudson, stated that his client has no affiliations with white supremacist groups and expressed remorse for the distress his actions caused the community. The defence also requested a community-based sentence instead of imprisonment, citing Arkeveld’s struggles with alcoholism and ADHD during the incident. However, the magistrate has indicated that a prison term is expected when sentencing takes place next month.