Neil Erikson, who ambushed Sam Dastyari on video, avoids jail for contempt of court
Updated
![Labor senator Sam Dastyari is abused by a group of men in a Melbourne pub Neil Erikson, in the Toll shirt, was among a group of men who abused then-senator Sam Dastyari](http://web.archive.org./web/20190602050654im_/https://www.abc.net.au/news/image/9133848-16x9-700x394.jpg)
A far-right activist who ambushed former Labor senator Sam Dastyari for a social media video will have to pay $10,000 if he uploads any more content featuring his former employer, Toll Transport.
Neil Erikson uploaded a video last year in which he called Mr Dastyari a "terrorist" and a "monkey," while wearing a Toll Transport uniform, at a Melbourne pub.
Erikson also uploaded a photo of an associate wearing a Toll uniform during a scuffle outside a speaking event for commentator Milo Yiannopoulos.
The freight company is suing Erikson for alleged reputational damage.
At the Federal Court in Melbourne today, Erikson was fined $10,000 for failing to comply with a judge's order to remove the social media posts. But the penalty has been wholly suspended, so long as he does not upload more content that features Toll over the next two years.
Erikson argued he was not given enough notice to remove the content but said he would comply with the order.
"I do believe the judgement was wrong, I was not guilty, but I respect the judge's decision," Erikson told the ABC outside court.
Erikson has revelled in controversy over the past 12 months, after being found guilty of inciting serious contempt of Muslims over a mock beheading video, and for storming Yarra and Moreland council meetings over their decision to scrap Australia Day celebrations.
'Antics will continue'
Erikson was also threatened with legal action after he called his online social media group "Patriot Blue", a name that featured in the fictional TV series Romper Stomper.
"These antics will continue," Erikson said. "But without the Toll tops."
Erikson was sacked by Toll in 2015, but worked for the company in Tasmania last year for two months before being dismissed again.
He has been ordered to pay costs for the contempt of court case, which are yet to be determined.
"I have no money to pay any fines, so they can chase me," Erikson said.
"I'm in court pretty much once a week now, it's becoming a regular thing.
"It doesn't bother me at all."
The civil case between Toll Transport and Erikson is scheduled for a directions hearing on Tuesday.
Topics: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, melbourne-3000, vic
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