What are the allegations against former actor Damien Richardson? Details explored as case intensifies over controversial salute

Neighbours and McLeod’s Daughters actor Damien Richardson is embroiled in a high-court defamation legal case over accusations that he made a N*zi salute in public.

The case has generated widespread attention not just because Richardson is a former television star but because of the legal complexities raised by Victoria’s prohibitions on N*zi imagery and gestures.

The 55-year-old appeared in front of Melbourne's Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to be charged over an alleged incident at the Urban St restaurant in McKinnon in September 2024.

Prosecutors stated that the actor intended to perform a N*zi salute, or a salute which is similar to or can be easily mistaken for a N*zi salute. According to their claims, he performed that gesture knowing it was associated with the N*zi ideology.

Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson charged for performing N*zi salute. The actor is alleged to have made the gesture at an event with far-right activists in attendance https://t.co/O8uR4vHoZD

— Rufus Polk (@rufuspolk) December 19, 2024

According to a report by The News, In late 2023, Victoria passed laws relating to the criminalisation of N*zi symbols and gestures. The reforms expanded on a previous ban on swastikas to include gestures like the N*zi salute. Conviction carries a fine of up to $23,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months under the law.

In court, Damien Richardson’s lawyer, Peter Monagle, said that the case depends on the correct or incorrect construction of what a N*zi salute is. He said there is a “scientific” and “mathematical” definition to the gesture that includes considerations of the angle of the arm and the positioning of the fingers.

"There seems to be some sort of mathematical formula about the arm and whether the fingers are together." Peter Monagle said in court.

A look into the legal aspects of Damien Richardson arrest

Prosecutor Nicholas La Mattina said the prosecution might summon an expert witness to detail the legal specifics of what precisely makes a N*zi salute (Yahoo News). Monagle replied that if such testimony is offered, the defense would go into great detail in cross-examination of the expert on the mathematics of the gesture.

Damien Richardson has previously asked for a diversion, which would have had the case dismissed and prevented conviction, but that request was denied.The actor’s defense states that the gesture “was a gesture that was made without thought to what the ramifications could be.”

Lawyers for a former Neighbours actor accused of performing a N*zi salute have asked the court to spare Damien Richardson a criminal conviction. @gillianlant #9News pic.twitter.com/yKaejuFG8D

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) June 20, 2025

On the other hand, the magistrate referred to Damien Richardson’s reported statement to police that he knew making the gesture could lead to fines and imprisonment.

According to reports, Richardson walked past reporters without speaking as he left the courthouse and his lawyer said the next hearing would deal with the question of whether the salute met the legal definition of the gesture under the newer laws (The News).

Richardson, who has not been seen in any acting roles since 2021, also entered politics in 2022, contesting for the right-wing Freedom Party in a state election and for a federal senate race as an independent.

The forthcoming hearing is also expected to include a two-hour livestream of the incident. The defense has requested that portions of the video be withheld as they contain a potential prejudicial content not relevant to Richardson’s case.