Peter Joseph Simonsen makes bid for freedom in Townsville Magistrates Court, facing CEM and breach of privacy charges
A man who allegedly filmed up the skirts of women at a QLD airport and shopping centre has made a successful bid for freedom in court.
A NQ man facing more than 60 charges relating to recordings in breach of privacy and child exploitation material has been granted bail.
Peter Joseph Simonsen applied for bail in Townsville Magistrates Court following an unsuccessful attempt earlier in the year.
The court heard the 41-year-old was first busted for allegedly filming without consent at Cairns Airport, when he was allegedly caught filming up the skirts of women with his phone hidden in a duffel bag.
Police prosecutor Angus O’Connor said the Cairns matter was reported to police, but Mr Simonsen later flew to Townsville and allegedly continued to offend.
“The offending in Townsville is effectively… entirely contained in Willows Shopping Centre,” Mr O’Connor said.
He has been charged with 59 counts observations or recordings in breach of privacy genital or anal region, two counts making child exploitation material, one count possess child exploitation material, and two counts possess tainted property
Of Mr Simonsen’s 59 charges of recording in breach of privacy, the court heard 55 of those charges occurred in Townsville.
Mr O’Connor said prosecution was unable to provide clarity on the child abuse material charges.
Mr Simonsen’s lawyer Jessica Hine said her client was entitled to bail, and was at risk of spending too much time in custody, as he had already spent eight months in a correctional facility.
Ms Hine also said she is seeking disclosure of pieces of evidence, including a search warrant and arrangements to view sensitive evidence from prosecution.
Mr O’Connor opposed bail for Mr Simonsen, and said he has a serious risk of committing further offences in the community.
Magistrate Steven Mosch said Mr Simonsen had already spent 230 days in custody, and accepted he was at risk of serving longer than he might be sentenced.
Mr Simonsen was granted bail, with a condition being he cannot possess a mobile phone capable of taking photos, and his matter will be mentioned on January 27, 2026.
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Originally published as Peter Joseph Simonsen makes bid for freedom in Townsville Magistrates Court, facing CEM and breach of privacy charges
