'I'm ashamed of it': man pleads guilty to Nazi prison tattoo beach display

A Nowra man has pleaded guilty to displaying a Nazi symbol after he was photographed on a Newcastle beach displaying a Nazi insignia on his leg.

Andrew Marc Laszlo Lorant, 36, was charged with knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without reasonable excuse, and had his guilty plea entered by his lawyer in Newcastle local court on Thursday morning.

Commonwealth charges, which would have seen the matter dealt with in a higher court, were discontinued by the prosecution.

Court documents revealed Lorant attended Bar Beach in Newcastle with his family around 6pm on Christmas Eve where, while wearing shorts, two tattoos were on display to the public.

One displayed the white supremacist slogan "white power" while the second displayed the Nazi "SS" insignia on the back of his right leg.

Prosecutor Detective Mitchell Howe said the beach was very busy as it was Christmas eve.

The family stayed at the beach for about 45 minutes. They swam and played on the sand.

While at the beach, the man's tattoos were photographed without his knowledge by a witness who "felt intimidated" by their presence.

It was reported to Crime Stoppers.

Police said at no point did Lorant attempt to cover up the tattoo.

On December 27, police went to an address in Coffs Harbour to talk to Lorant.

He told police he always wore a t-shirt to make sure he kept his tattoos covered, even when swimming, because "I've got stupid stuff on me from a past life."

He said he had shorts on, rather than long pants, because he was at the beach.

He told police he understood the symbol was a Nazi symbol and wanted to get it removed but that it was expensive and he was supporting his family.

Lorant said he had approached a number of tattoo artists to get it covered up but "they won't touch it, they just say no way and get out of here".

He told police he was aware the tattoos were offensive and had difficulty explaining them to his daughter.

"I don't know what to tell her because it is embarrassing," he said.

Lorant told police he obtained a number of Nazi tattoos two to three years ago at the Junee goal when he aligned himself with a group of "white Aussie boys who all had that stuff on them".

He said he no longer had communication with any of them.

He said he understood the seriousness of the tattoos, but did not know it was an offence.

"That's whu i want to get the s**t covered up," he said.

"I'm ashamed of it."

Lorent now has the tattoos fully covered up by a new tattoo.

Lorent will be sentenced on July 17 where he could face up to 12 months imprisonment or a $11000 fine.

His strict bail conditions will continue.