42 Crimes: Public masturbator sentenced for assaulting police, lighting fires, custody escape
A court heard how a public masturbator escaped police custody and spent more than a week on the run racking up 42 crimes on his rap sheet.
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A regional Queensland vagabond causing problems for police, and hospital staff, and scaring members of the community with his threatening and sexual behaviour pleaded guilty to 42 crimes.
The Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard the 27-year-old, Bryson James Smith, was battling an ice addiction alongside a schizophrenia diagnosis which resulted in “fleeting hallucinations”.
The crimes committed during about 11 months, included the assault of police officers and hospital staff, public masturbation, lighting an illegal fire in a car park to cook food as well as drug and public nuisance offences.
Most disturbingly, in October Smith was caught red-handed by Toowoomba police masturbating at Laurel Park, after a number of concerned women called 000 and reported they were being followed by Smith.
Despite him having tissues and a tub of vaseline, Smith told the arresting officers he was just scratching his penis and it wasn’t a crime to scratch himself.
A month later he escaped police custody in December and was on the run for 17 days – during which he continued to commit minor offences such as stealing.
The court heard during the seemingly unplanned and unsophisticated escape, he ran out of the Toowoomba Hospital after he was transferred from jail.
The court heard Smith usually lived with his father in Toowoomba, however since his dad became unwell, he was displaced, leaving a trail of crimes spanning between Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, and Brisbane.
Police issued notices banning Smith from a Toowoomba ANZ Bank branch, Queen Street Mall Brisbane, and a bail condition banned him from returning to Stanthorpe.
Almost a third of his 42 crimes related to breaching bail conditions, and Smith pleaded guilty to all offences via video link on February 9, 2024.
Smith was sentenced to a six month jail term, however as he spent 271 days in police custody, he was immediately released.
Magistrate Clare Kelly urged Smith to reach out for help with his accommodation and to continue his new treatment plan.
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Originally published as 42 Crimes: Public masturbator sentenced for assaulting police, lighting fires, custody escape
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