HIEBELBERG, VIC. — Charlie Ann Tidmarsh, 20, and Edith Pope, 22, yesterday made their first appearance in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court after they were arrested whilst allegedly graffitiing the Bell St RSL last month.
Police allege the pair were stopped by uniformed officers about 1.45am outside the Heidelberg Heights club on Saturday, April 25 in the process of spray painting the building.
It is further alleged that they earlier graffitied another RSL in Reservoir shortly after midnight and the Fawkner RSL as well.
According to charge sheets, it’s alleged they caused $200 in damage to the Bell St RSL and $3000 in damage to the Reservoir RSL.
Images circulating online captured red graffiti stating “f–k ANZAC”, “kill the troops” and “death to the ADF” were seen on the Reservoir RSL venue.
It’s alleged the phrase “die war criminal imperialists” was sprayed on the Heidelberg RSL wall.
They were subsequently charged with offences including criminal damage, marking offensive graffiti and grossly offensive public conduct.
In court, the two women’s cases were adjourned for four weeks after it was announced that Victoria Police’s specialist advocacy unit was intending to take over the prosecution.
On request from Ms Tidmarsh and Ms Pope’s lawyer, Tyra O’Neill, their bail was relaxed to allow contact between the pair and a modification of their curfews.
When a media application to access court documents was addressed in court, Ms O’Neill raised concerns about her clients’ personal information being made public.
“There’s already been some media attention and there’s been some threats of doxxing,” she said.
Doxxing refers to the sharing of public or private information online without a person’s consent.
Ms Tidmarsh and Ms Pope were supported in court by several people, while Reservoir RSL president Kevin Kennedy also attended the hearing.
On leaving the court, Ms Pope, Ms Tidmarsh and their supporters donned face coverings and attempted to block photographers with umbrellas and clothing.
On ANZAC Day, a Returned and Services League spokesman said the vandalism was “disgraceful”.
“While upsetting, the overwhelming response from the public was one of unity, support and condemnation of those responsible,” he said.
Ms Tidmarsh and Ms Pope are followers and engage with neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell’s ‘White Australia Party’ (formerly the National Socialist Network (NSN)), Bec Freedom’s ‘Fight For Australia’ (formerly ‘March for Australia’) and Monica Smit’s ‘Reignite Democracy Australia’, all of which are anti-immigrant, white supremacist, Nazi-aligned hate groups.
Ms Pope and Ms Tidmarsh return to court on Wednesday, June 17.
