An actor whose portrayal of a knife-wielding rapist in a 60 Minutes re-enactment was cut from the program after he was found guilty of domestic violence is headed back to court.
Joel Aaron Baker recently boasted on social media about his role on Nine’s flagship current affairs program, which aired ten days after he was convicted and placed on a conditional release order.
The June 8 edition of 60 Minutes featured a report by Tara Brown about Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance in Portugal of British toddler Madeleine McCann.
Brown had interviewed Irishwoman Hazel Behan, who claimed she was raped by Brueckner in 2004, and the program featured a re-enactment of that alleged attack.
Baker portrayed a balaclava-clad Brueckner, dressed all in black and carrying a hunting knife, as he tormented a terrified Ms Behan.
What 60 Minutes viewers did not know was that on May 29 he had faced a magistrate at Sutherland Local Court.
On that day Baker was cleared of assaulting his wife but convicted of another domestic violence-related offence – destroying or damaging property.
The destroy or damage property charge stemmed from an incident which occurred at the former couple’s marital home last year.
Nine Network removed footage from a 60 Minutes episode in which actor Joel Aaron Baker, who was recently convicted of domestic violence, portrayed a knife-wielding rapist in a re-enactment. Baker is pictured
A June edition of 60 Minutes featured a report by Tara Brown (above) about Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann
Baker was placed on a 12-month conditional release order and made the subject of a two-year apprehended violence order protecting his wife, and is prohibited from going within 50m of her home or workplace.
The 36-year-old, from Sylvania Waters in Sydney’s south, has now lodged an appeal against that conviction and finding of guilt in the NSW District Court.
Baker split from his wife in October last year and is only allowed to contact her through a lawyer.
As part of his conditional release order, Baker must comply with a treatment plan and take part in a domestic violence program under the supervision of a community corrections officer.
Two months earlier, Baker had seven other domestic violence-related common assault charges dismissed after being found not guilty, also at Sutherland Local Court.
A day after the 60 Minutes episode was aired, Baker posted on Facebook and Instagram about his latest acting experience.
‘A small acting job I got to do for a re-enactment on last night’s episode of 60 Minutes on Channel 9,’ he wrote.
‘Warning: It’s not a nice topic related to the Madeline McCann case, but you can see the full story on @9now.’
A day after the 60 Minutes episode was aired, Baker posted on Facebook about his latest acting experience
Baker (far left) appeared as an Australian prisoner of the Japanese in four episodes of the critically acclaimed World War II television miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Promoting himself for playing a man perpetrating violence against a woman so soon after his conviction has appalled Baker’s wife’s family.
‘What has caused our family even more distress is Joel’s immediate public sharing of the 60 Minutes segment via his social media, seemingly celebrating his appearance despite the deeply concerning nature of his personal conduct,’ one relative said.
After the Daily Mail alerted Nine to Baker’s criminal history a spokesman said the network had not known about Baker’s criminal conviction and the June 8 episode would be edited.
‘Actors sourced for re-enactments are provided through a talent agency,’ he said.
‘We were not made aware of these claims and we are now in the process of removing the footage from the story on online episodes.’
Baker describes himself as an actor, model, DJ and ‘digital creator’, but until three years ago he was the manager of a McDonald’s outlet.
A post on Baker’s Instagram account about his 60 Minutes appearance featured footage of his performance.
One of his followers responded to that harrowing clip with the remark, ‘The old smash and dash’, to which Baker replied: ‘F*** heavy…and yet you wouldn’t let me the other day’.
Baker appeared as an Australian prisoner of the Japanese in four episodes of the recent critically acclaimed World War II television miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
He has also been seen as one of the notorious ‘River Boys’ being arrested on Home and Away, as well as in NCIS: Sydney, Strife and Last King of the Cross.
Baker’s appeal is listed for hearing at Downing Centre District Court on October 2.
