Named: Patrick John Craig convicted of indecent public act at park

“You couldn’t control yourself”. These were the words of a disgusted Qld Magistrate after a man was caught committing an obscene act near a children’s playground.

John Breen Park - Mackay

Police were called to a park after a man was seen masturbating while looking at a child, Mackay Magistrates Court has heard.

Patrick John Craig, 57, was arrested near John Breen Park in North Mackay on July 4, 2025 and charged with performing an indecent act in a public place.

Police prosecutor Katrina Pollard told the court Craig was seen by a witness masturbating while “looking at a child playing in the jungle gym”.

“The witness approached the defendant and when he saw the witness he quickly pulled his hands out of his pants … the witness asked the defendant to leave the park,” Ms Pollard said.

Craig told police at the scene he was scratching his back, but the court heard policeobserved the zip on his pants was undone.

The court heard Craig had two previous convictions of indecent treatment of children under the age of 12 from 2006.

He was sentenced to a six-month suspended sentence and the court heard he failed to comply with reporting conditions more than once.

Defence solicitor Sarah Reid said Craig was unable to read or write and attended a special education school.

“The offending before the court I concede that it’s disgusting behaviour, my client concedes that … he tells me that he’s embarrassed,” Ms Reid said.

She also said Craig lived in Andergrove with his long-term partner.

Craig pleaded guilty to the charge of committing an indecent act in a public place.

Acting Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope said Craig’s offending was disgusting.

“You were seen to be masturbating with your hands in your pants … while looking at a child in the playground,” Ms Kirkman-Scroope said.

“There were people around I don’t know if that’s increased your arousal … that’s what’s concerning.

“There’s something going on there because you couldn’t control yourself.”

Ms Kirkman-Scroope said Craig’s criminal history and the similarity of his recent offending was also “concerning”.

Craig was sentenced to three months’ jail with an immediate parole release date set for July 9, 2025.

Four days of pre-sentence custody were declared as time served, and convictions were recorded.