‘How I ended up naked, high, washing clothes in stadium fountain’

A Bundaberg man says he’s turned his life around since the day he was discovered naked, washing his clothes in a fountain, outside a north Queensland sports stadium.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

A man, who was discovered naked, washing his clothes in a water fountain outside Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, says he’s since turned his life around.

Appearing in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday, Jackson Ian Gray pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs and failure to appear in accordance with an undertaking.

Magistrate Andrew Moloney heard police had come across Gray naked and washing his clothes in the fountain near Gate A at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville in the early hours of January 11.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Claire Bibby said officers approached Gray who was behaving erratically and clenching his jaw.

A search revealed Gray had 0.50g of methamphetamine with him.

Gray was granted bail at the watchhouse to appear in court on January 28, but failed to turn up at Townsville Courthouse.

He told the Bundaberg court this week he had been in a bad way at the time but was making progress now.

“I was homeless at the time,” he said.

“I’ve since moved back to Bundaberg, I’ve cleaned myself up and I’m starting a new business.”

Magistrate Moloney fined Gray a total of $700 ($450 for the drug offence and $250 for failing to appear).

Convictions were not recorded.