Anthony O’Byrne charged with hiding phone, secretly recording people in public toilets

A Gold Coast man charged with using a hidden mobile phone to secretly record people using public toilets has been identified in court. READ THE LATEST

Anthony O'Byrne. Picture: Jessica Paul

A man accused of hiding a mobile phone to secretly record people using Main Beach public toilets plans to contest at least some of the allegations against him, a court has been told.

Anthony O’Byrne faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, where he is charged with observations or recordings in breach of privacy.

Police allege the 31-year-old fled in his car after being confronted by a woman who found the phone hidden in a cubicle on the morning of October 20.

Speaking in the days after charges were laid, Gold Coast police Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said the woman filmed the vehicle, enabling police to identify and contact its driver before he surrendered himself back at the scene.

Anthony O'Byrne. Picture: Jessica Paul

Mr O’Byrne appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, where his case was briefly mentioned for the first time since he was charged.

Duty lawyer Linda Larkin told the court Mr O’Byrne disagreed with some of what was being alleged by police and required case conferencing.

The Southport man did not comment on the case outside the courthouse, only shaking his head in response to reporters’ questions.

He is due to return to court on November 26 and remains on bail.

Originally published as Anthony O’Byrne charged with hiding phone, secretly recording people in public toilets