ANM member escapes prison again

A supporter of Jack van Tongeren's neo-Nazi Australian Nationalist Movement (ANM) has avoided going to jail for the second time, despite admitting his role in a racist graffiti spree around Perth waged by the group. Benjamin Weerheym, 27, on Monday pleaded guilty to a further seven criminal damage charges and one of theft, four weeks after being convicted for his part in the graffiti campaign waged by the ANM in July. Perth magistrate's court was told Weerheym acted as driver and lookout during the July incidents, and performed the same function during an attack on the electorate office of West Australian Attorney General Jim McGinty in August last year. Magistrate Pamela Hogan was told the phrase "Racist traitor - back off bitch" and swastikas were daubed on Mr McGinty's office by ANM members as Weerheym kept watch.