A Lake Macquarie man who allegedly displayed offensive antisemitic symbols on his boat has been refused bail, after a prosecutor said he lacked insight into the seriousness of the charge he is facing.

Warning: This story contains descriptions of Nazi symbols and antisemitic language

Police were called to a home at Swansea, south of Newcastle, on December 6, allegedly finding symbols on a boat parked there.

After further investigations, the home was searched on Tuesday and Jake John Dearie, 32, was charged 

Mr Dearie stands accused of displaying Nazi symbols in a public place, offensive behaviour and breach of bail.

He applied for release today in Newcastle Bail Court.

The court heard in addition to Nazi symbols and an image of Adolf Hitler on the boat, a sticker with an antisemitic slur was allegedly displayed across the back.

Magistrate Elizabeth Bushby told the court the boat allegedly had professional decals or stickers depicting reversed or partially-reversed swastikas, and a “Hitler-looking Nazi” shouting an offensive phrase.

Commonwealth prosecutor Frank Farah told the court bail should not be granted.

“It is a serious and blatant example of this offending,” he said.

“It doesn’t appear to be any appreciation of how serious this offending is.”

Mr Farah said the symbols were “blatant” and noted the timing of the alleged offences in the context of recent events.

“I think he says in relation to the symbols that they’re controversial, I think it’s a bit more than controversial, especially in the circumstances of what’s happened in the last few days,” he said.

Mr Dearie’s solicitor, Isabel Reed, said her client had “no prior offences of this kind” and had a back injury, leaving him in pain.

He was already on bail for domestic violence and driving offences and today that bail was formally revoked.

Magistrate Bushby said the material was “antisemitic symbolism” done by a professional.

She said Mr Dearie had not proven that bail was justified.

Offences relating to the display of prohibited symbols, including Nazi symbols, in a public place carry a maximum prison term of five years.

The matter is due to return to court on January 21.