Wilfred Utisets pleads guilty to committing an indecent act at Kings Beach Bowen

A naked man ‘blew kisses’ as he approached two terrified women walking their dog on a Whitsunday beach, causing one woman to pick up a stick in self-defence.

Two Bowen women have been left shocked and distressed after a man masturbated in front of them, then chased them along a public beach.

Farm worker Wilfred Utisets, 42, emerged out of the sand dunes on Kings Beach stark naked just before 6pm on Thursday.

Bowen Magistrates Court heard he then sat down and opened his legs in the direction of a 23-year-old and 30-year-old woman walking a dog, before committing the indecent act.

Utisets walked toward the women, calling out to them and “blowing kisses” as one of the women phoned police in fear for their safety.

When they began to walk away, he ran after them, prompting one of the women to pick up a stick for self-defence, before both found refuge with a bystander at a carpark.

The court heard Utisets remained at the beach calling out to the women until police arrested him about 6.15pm.

Bowen farm worker Wilfred Utisets pleaded guilty to committing an indecent act in a public place. Picture: Kirra Grimes

Defence lawyer Peta Vernon said Utisets was under the influence of alcohol at the time, having consumed “quite a lot of” boxed wine the previous night and into the morning, and did not recall masturbating in front of the women.

Ms Vernon said Utisets had gone down to the beach for a naked swim – which was “the norm” in his native Vanuatu – about 11am, and then fell asleep for several hours.

She said he was extremely embarrassed about his behaviour and had no explanation other than his level of intoxication.

The court heard the father of six intended to return to Vanuatu when his visa expired. Picture: Kirra Grimes

Ms Vernon said Utisets had been working in Australia for two years while his wife and six children remained at home in Vanuatu, and he was planning to return to them upon his visa’s expiry in November.

He had not intended to stay in Australia as long as he had but “got stuck because of Covid,” Ms Vernon said.

Magistrate James Morton fined Utisets $500 and told him “This is not what we do in Australia.”

“We don’t walk around with grass skirts on us here – we walk around with clothes on and we swim with clothes on,” Mr Morton said.

“It is an offence in Australia to start taking matters into one’s own account out in public – if that’s what you fellows do back in Vanuatu, go back to your own country and do it.”

Before letting him go, Mr Morton asked Utisets: “Does the wife know about this? Are you going to get a saucepan across the head when you walk back into the hut back over there?” then told him: “You deserve one.”

No convictions were recorded.