Paul Matthew White in Hervey Bay court for exposing himself in Roma St Parklands

An “apologetic” former farm worker who was down on his luck after the Wide Bay floods and high on meth when he exposed himself in the Brisbane CBD, has been sentenced.

An out-of-work fruit picker caught exposing his genitalia in the Roma Street Parklands has been sentenced.

Paul Matthew White, 50, pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Thursday to four charges including wilful exposure, contravening of a police direction, failure to appear and failure to supply identification.

The court heard at 12:15pm on May 30, 2023, police were contacted by Parklands security after reports of a man exposing himself while sitting on a grass area.

White was approached, interviewed and arrested.

CCTV footage also showed White repeatedly pulling his shorts to the side to expose his genitalia the court was told.

He was required to attend Brisbane Magistrate Court on July 18, but failed to do so and was arrested at Fleet Street Mall on August 17.

He again failed to appear before the court twice and was arrested on August 29 and then on September 5 presented to Hervey Bay Police Station to explain the circumstances for missing court on the third occasion.

Duty lawyer Ria Ku told the court White’s behaviour throughout the incidents was “out of character” and he was “ashamed and apologetic” for his actions.

She told the court his behaviour was caused by his methamphetamines addiction for which he had been receiving treatment at Bayside Transformations rehabilitation centre in Torquay since October 5.

White had been a fruit picker in Bundaberg but lost his job due to the impact of the 2022 floods within the region, with the loss of income leaving him homeless.

He was fined $650 for the exposure offence and $750 for the failure to appear.

No convictions were recorded.

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