Shane Cuthbert, a former criminal who served six months in jail, to run for Cairns Regional Council

A man who once filmed his cowering wife covered in massive bruises, and shouting from behind the camera ‘show me your f--king legs’, has put his hand up for election to council.

A man once “exposed” for filming and screaming at a bruised and cowering woman has claimed he can relate to youth criminals and is the councillor Cairns needs.

Cairns City resident Shane Cuthbert will contest Division 4 at the Cairns Regional Council elections in March.

His history is littered with criminal convictions; but, he said he is a reformed man with ambitions for eventual election to state government.

“My actions over the last four or five years … I think they speak volumes of me as a person,” Mr Cuthbert said.

Shane Cuthbert is contesting Division 4 at the Cairns Regional Council election. He insists he is a changed person after accumulation numerous criminal convictions. Picture: Supplied

“I think I’ve done more in the community than most people.”

Mr Cuthbert is the “president” of two charities; he claimed he volunteered with several organisations.

According to the Australian Charities and Not-for profits Commission, his charities – Domestic Violence Anonymous and Shane Cuthbert’s Change the World Foundation – have never earnt nor spent a single dollar during three years of operations.

Shane Cuthbert appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday September 26, 2012, dressed as a clown. Cuthbert was nearly slapped with a contempt of court charge for wearing the suit. Picture: AAP Image/Vincent Morello

“Domestic Violence Anonymous doesn’t need money to run, I run online zoom sessions with male victims and perpetrators of violence,” he said.

“Change the World Foundation I set up after discussing crime solutions with (a politician) … so that I could apply for grants … I have not yet been successful.

“I would like to set up a 24-hour youth centre in Cairns.”

Mr Cuthbert has had frequent contact with the judiciary.

In 2012 he appeared in a Parramatta court dressed as a clown after a charge of damaging a taxi – no conviction was recorded.

Shane Cuthbert (right) leaves the Cairns courthouse with his lawyer Richard Whitla after pleading guilty to trying to board a Jetstar flight with a ticket labelled Kermit the Frog. Picture: Supplied

In 2015 he was ordered to pay a $2000 fine after detonating an explosive device in Bowen.

In 2016 he was remanded in custody, and eventually convicted, over 11 charges including wilful damage, breaches of DVO, drink driving and trespassing.

He was sentenced to six months in prison.

In the same year video surfaced of Mr Cuthbert’s ex-wife Berenger Rose cowering and crying with large bruises on her legs – Mr Cuthbert was behind the camera.

Berenger Rose cowers with bruises on her legs. Picture: ACA

Bruises on Berenger Rose's body. Picture: ACA

He can be heard yelling: “Show me your f--king legs”.

Ms Rose responds: “You’re hurting me … please stop.”

Nine Network’s A Current Affair ran a series of reports on Mr Cuthbert following the video, the most recent in June.

The program stated Mr Cuthbert was “once exposed as a vile, despicable husband” and “his ex-wife calls him an abusive monster”.

On Mr Cuthbert’s council candidacy, Ms Rose told the program: “It’s frightening to think someone who’s such a monster … is out there campaigning politically.”

Shane Cuthbert will contest at Cairns Regional Council’s elections in a loose alliance with Rob Pyne. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cuthbert claimed his ex-wife’s behaviour drove him to “secretly” film her.

“I was struggling with mental health issues at the time,” he said.

“(It was suggested) I record (her) so I could use it to protect myself. The problem is it backfired on me.”

On Ms Rose’s bruising, he said he was never charged for assault and the bruising was caused by a furniture handling accident while moving house.

Shane Cuthbert will run in an alliance with former magistrate and Division 8 candidate Pat O'Shane at the March elections. Ms O’Shane once convicted Mr Cuthbert as a youth offender. Picture: Supplied

“(For years) I’ve been trying to clear my name. I was not convicted (for assault) in a court,” he said.

Since becoming a Cairns resident in 2018, Mr Cuthbert has received two more convictions.

In August 2018 he was fined $500 for trying to board a flight under the alias Kermit the Frog.

In August 2021 he failed to beat a public nuisance charge after he lashed out at a police officer.

He stressed that none of his prior convictions had ever involved physical violence, and said he would never stand before a judge or magistrate as a defendant again.

“My prior convictions are very minimal,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of hard work over the last few years and I think people see that.

“The word on the street that I’ve received is (people) are sick of the same old politicians … they need someone who’s rough around the edges … and that’s certainly me.”

Mr Cuthbert said he does not currently work but is completing a law degree.

He is currently listed as a candidate on ECQ’s website.

According to an ECQ spokeswoman, treason, electoral and integrity convictions would disqualify a person from running for council.

Mr Cuthbert’s convictions are not included under “integrity convictions” and therefore do not disqualify his candidacy according to the Local Government Act 2009.

Local paramedic Jeremy Neal is also contesting Division 4 as part of the Unity Team.

Mayoral candidate Amy Eden said her team also has a candidate for Division 4.

Originally published as Shane Cuthbert, a former criminal who served six months in jail, to run for Cairns Regional Council