Auckland – A British man has been ordered to leave New Zealand after being found guilty of defacing Jewish graves with swastikas.
Christian Landmark, 20, was convicted of intentional damage for spray painting the graves in Auckland last year.
His co-accused Robert Moulden, 19, had already pleaded guilty earlier.
The pair went to the graveyard in October and daubed antisemitic slogans across the gravestones in the Jewish quarter of the Symonds St Cemetery.
After being found guilty Landmark was told last week that when he appears in court in August he must provide a $3,000 bank cheque for reparations – he must also have completed 80 hours of voluntary community work.
He avoided jail, but was told he must show proof that he is leaving the country – he is on strict curfew rules and his passport has been confiscated.
Landmark travelled to New Zealand on a two-year visa which has now expired, reported 3-News.
He took photos on his phone of Moulden desecrating the graves and later attempted to sell them to the media.
Moulden later gave testimony against Landmark in Auckland District Court.
Justice Collins told the court he did not believe Landmark was remorseful.
He also described him as ‘cocky’ during his trial.
‘I seriously doubt you have any insight into how distressing the spraying of the symbol of that regime is to New Zealanders,’ he said.
‘I don’t think you’ve got any insight into the fact you come into this court seeking mercy, when the symbolism of the regime you participated in spraying all over that cemetery was devoid of any mercy itself.’
