Sydney Man Sentenced for Offensive Social Media Posts Targeting Minorities
Alexander Phillip David Keating of Sydney has been sentenced to a two-year community correction order for using a carriage service to offend. Keating pleaded guilty to making 45 offensive posts on X (formerly Twitter) between February and April of the previous year.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis stated that Keating's posts contained material designed to dehumanize groups and promote violence against them.
"The publications were particularly targeting Muslims based on race and religion, describing them as corrosive to dignity and inflaming prejudice." The magistrate characterized the conduct as a serious misuse of social media platforms and an affront to societal values.
The community correction order includes conditions that require Keating to engage in treatment for his mental health diagnoses. The court heard that Keating had sought mental health treatment, and the magistrate acknowledged his acceptance of responsibility and expressed remorse. Keating, 37, was charged in May last year following a search warrant at his home and a forensic examination of his phone. He admitted to making numerous posts, including some directed at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Diversion Request Declined
Keating's lawyer, Tom Seeney, had requested a diversion under Commonwealth legislation for defendants with mental health impairments. Commonwealth prosecutor Brian Massone acknowledged Keating's complex mental health but opposed the diversion, arguing for the public interest in the case being dealt with legally.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tsavdaridis declined the diversion, considering the serious nature of the offense and the potential inability to redetermine the sentence if orders were not met.
The deputy chief magistrate noted that Keating's posts called for rape, torture, and graphic physical assault against minorities and political figures. Keating attributed his actions to the political environment and his perception of a deteriorating Australian society. The court was also informed that Keating had been self-medicating with cannabis. The Crown agreed that a non-custodial sentence was appropriate.