Chay Tarney Neal in court for watching woman shower from window

A work trip to Kingaroy has cost a former Sunshine Coast animal welfare worker, after he left one woman traumatised after a “creepy” act. Here is what happened in court.

Chay Tarney Neal leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 3.

A former animal welfare worker, who was earning $70,000 a year, has been exposed as a peeping tom after his work colleague caught him watching her in the shower at an AirBnB.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on November 3 that Mountain Creek father Chay Tarney Neal, 40, was seen pressing his face against a glass window at a Kingaroy AirBnB in May while his colleague was showering.

The two were staying in separate rooms at a four-bedroom, two bathroom Kingaroy home during a work trip, which a third colleague was invited to but did not come.

On May 31, the victim had finished showering and was wrapped in a towel when she saw Neal outside an open window with his face pressed against the glass, watching her.

She later told police she had closed the window the night before.

Chay Tarney Neal leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 3.

The victim then screamed and ran into the hallway, where she met a very apologetic Neal who told her he heard a noise outside.

The court was told she then texted the colleague who was meant to go on the trip with them and locked herself in the bathroom for 45 minutes before packing her things.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said Neal approached her in the doorway and said words to the effect of “I was just thinking that may have been really creepy. You thought I was looking in. I didn’t see anything”.

Neal then asked her for a hug and continued to apologise.

The victim was unable to sleep that night, the court was told, and was picked up from the address by another person.

She later reported the incident to the company, and Neal resigned shortly after.

Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

He later emailed her apologising again, saying he was “angry and ashamed” and couldn’t explain how it happened.

The incident was reported to police in September.

Defence lawyer Samantha Sayson told the court her client had been married for eight years, and had a young child.

She said her client was “embarrassed” about what had happened, and was self-employed earning $3000 to $4000 a month.

He was earning $70,000 a year before he resigned from the company, the court was told.

Neal pleaded guilty to one charge of conducting an observation or recording in breach of privacy.

He was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $500 in compensation.