Anti-feminist blogger who defaced Eurydice Dixon memorial apologises

The man who defaced the memorial to slain comedian Eurydice Dixon must undergo 200 hours of community service for his crime, a Melbourne magistrate has ruled.

Andrew Nolch, inset, must do community service for defacing a memorial to slain comedian Eurydice Dixon.

Andrew Nolch, inset, must do community service for defacing a memorial to slain comedian Eurydice Dixon. Source: AAP

An anti-feminist Melbourne blogger who defaced a memorial to slain comedian Eurydice Dixon has avoided a stint in jail.

Andrew Nolch, 29, pleaded guilty last Thursday to criminal damage for painting a 25-metre long penis at the Princes Park memorial in June to make a "political statement".

Nolch, who hosts a Scientology podcast and also holds anti-vaccine beliefs, committed the act just days after Ms Dixon was raped and murdered, and the night before a public vigil was held.
Andrew Nolch leaves Melbourne Magistrates Court
Andrew Nolch outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court. (AAP)
Magistrate Olivia Trumble, who described his actions as "despicable", sentenced him to an 18-month community corrections order in which he must complete 200 hours of community service.

"The emotional damage of your conduct is immeasurable," she said while sentencing him.

"Your conduct, in my view, is inexplicable and your actions despicable."

Ms Trumble added Nolch showed no remorse and she remained concerned at his lack of insight into his offending.

Nolch's lawyer Glenn Thexton last week told the court Nolch's views were held by "many others" in society.

"There's quite a lot of symbolism in what he's drawn on the grass," he said.

Nolch must also repay more than $19,500 in restitution for the damage.

Firefighters and council workers were unable to remove the graffiti despite working through the night, so the turf was replaced at a cost of nearly $20,000.

Speaking outside court, Nolch said he wanted "to say sorry to Eurydice Dixon and her family".

When pressed about why he wanted to apologise, he answered "no comment".

"I'm an advocate for equal rights for both genders. Not all men are bad," he told reporters.

"I did the political graffiti because the mainstream media and feminists turned the tragic murder of Eurydice Dixon into one giant political man-hating event, ignoring real possible solutions to the murder, like the legalisation of pepper spray for the protection of women, or investigation into what caused the killer's autism, in which there could be a vaccine link.

"This mainstream media propaganda and blatant man-hating upset me so much that I thought I had to make a statement for men's rights."

Nolch must attend a men's behaviour change program as part of his community corrections order.

He must also submit a saliva sample to police, and if he doesn't comply, reasonable force can be used against him.

Ms Dixon, 22, was raped and killed in the Carlton North park after performing a comedy gig on June 13.

A 19-year-old man was been charged with Ms Dixon's rape and murder.


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Anti-feminist blogger who defaced Eurydice Dixon memorial apologises | SBS News