Yeppoon Lagoon lifeguard Thomas Kane O’brien knocks woman over during nudie run down town’s main street

A daring dash down a Queensland tourist town’s main street in his birthday suit went horribly wrong for a lifeguard and high school student in his senior year.

A high school senior did a nudie run down Yeppoon’s main street. File photo.

A lifeguard in his senior year at high school has faced court after his nudie run down a Queensland tourist town’s main street went badly wrong.

Thomas Kane O’brien, 18, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on October 6 to wilfully exposing his genitals in a public place.

The court heard that O’brien did a nudie run on Normanby Street, Yeppoon, on September 16.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said on that day, O’brien was taking part in a “scavenger hunt” with school friends.

“He was required to undertake tasks to earn points,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“The tasks that were considered more high risk had a higher allocated points.”

Sgt Ongheen said about 6.30pm, O’brien undertook a task to run naked through the main street of Yeppoon.

“He’s run naked past several restaurants, fast food eateries - they were busy with patrons including families and young children,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“He ran past Red Rooster - he has collided with a member of the public who was accompanied by his two young children.

“(O’brien) has bounced off that male and collided with a female member of the public, knocking her to the ground.

“That female struck her face on the ground, causing a graze to her chin and cheek area.

Sgt Ongheen said O’brien did not stop and he continued “running up the street to his friends who were waiting”.

The prosecutor said police identified O’brien and he, accompanied by his parents, attended Yeppoon Police Station.

“He (O’brien) made full admissions to the offence,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“He expressed his remorse.

“He states he felt terrible at the time, however, being naked he felt that he could not remain there at the incident to provide assistance.”

Sgt Ongheen said O’brien had attempted to make an apology to the female victim.

“She declined to accept that,” Sgt Ongheen said.

The court heard O’brien had no criminal history.

After the prosecution read the facts of this matter, Magistrate Cameron Press sought confirmation O’brien had not been charged with assault.

Sgt Ongheen confirmed that was the case.

Solicitor Krissy Cummins said O’brien was currently in Year 12 at Yeppoon State High School.

“He works as a lifeguard at Yeppoon Lagoon,” Ms Cummins said.

“He accepts the (prosecution) facts.

“He only turned 18 in July, Your Honour - he’s a young person.

“He has a bright future. His parents are in court supporting him today.

“It (offending) is out of character for him.”

Ms Cummins said O’brien played and coached both school and club basketball.

She said he hoped to work in the mining industry next year, and she asked Magistrate Press to consider not recording a conviction.

“He (O’brien) did express his remorse,” Ms Cummins said.

Before handing down penalty, Mr Press told O’brien: “This was a stupid action on your part, Sir. It was a stupid action from your friends as well.

“I hope that you, and they, have learnt a valuable lesson.

“Tomfoolery can go very wrong, very quickly. And it could have ended up worse than this.”

Mr Press fined O’brien $400 and he did not record a criminal conviction.