Mackay man Robert David Connelly jailed for masturbating on Bluewater Trail

Targeting a woman going for her morning walk, a 54-year-old creep scurried away when a bystander came along. See why it was particularly heinous.

Mackay’s Bluewater Trail. Photo supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland

A Queensland creep has learnt his fate for brandishing his penis at a stranger and masturbating while making lewd comments towards her.

Robert David Connelly, 54, of Farleigh, rocked back and forth in the Mackay Magistrates Court dock as he was told he would be sent to prison for his vile acts on July 31, 2024.

Connelly had been drinking all night and into the early hours of the morning when he went to Bluewater Trail near Illuka Park, and went there to “walk into the water and not come back”, his lawyer, Stephen Hayles, told the court.

But before doing that, Connelly decided to pull his penis out in front of a complete stranger, and masturbate in front of the woman.

He asked her if she was wearing a g-string before asking her to take off her dress.

The court heard he was “startled” by another person walking by and scurried away as the victim called police, who arrived shortly after.

Police found him walking south on a nearby beach and attempted to arrest him before Connelly said he was suicidal and the arrest was called off.

Arriving paramedics did not believe he needed to be taken to hospital.

One day later, police called Connelly and arrived at his house requesting a statement. He denied the opportunity and was arrested and taken away to the watchhouse.

The court heard Connelly was employed by Mackay Sugar at the time and was due to face a disciplinary meeting that same day, which he missed because of his arrest. He was fired as a result.

Mr Hayles said his client had since secured work as a storeperson, with his employer aware of the charges and willing to keep him on.

Connelly was wearing metal frame glasses with plastic tips, and licked his lips and teeth while breathing loudly through his nose as Magistrate Damien Dwyer read a letter from his employer.

Mr Hayles asked the magistrate to consider an intensive corrections order - home detention - rather than a term of imprisonment.

But Mr Dwyer believed the offence was too heinous.

“Your offending in this instance involved deliberate, serious, indecent attacks and actions in a public place in Mackay,” Mr Dwyer said.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer.

“A strong deterrent has to go to you or anyone else like minded to commit this sort of offence that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.”

Connelly’s criminal history included a past fine for wilful exposure.

“Your actions were disgusting,” Mr Dwyer said.

“This young lady just happened to go across your path and you pulled your penis out and masturbated in front of her.”

Connelly will spend one month in prison, before being released under supervision for 12 months.

Standing in the dock, Connelly started rocking back and forth as he heard he was going to prison, muttering as the terms of his probation were read to him.

When asked if he understood them, Connelly stood stunned before eventually speaking.

“Yes, your honour”.