Toowoomba tradie Ben Clarke in court, busted filming police bike urination

After work drinks landed a Toowoomba plumber in court when he was caught with his pants down at a police station.

Toowoomba roof plumber site supervisor Benjamin James Clarke fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court after officers found him urinating on one of their bikes.

Toowoomba tradesman Benjamin James Clarke fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court after officers found him on police property, filming himself urinating on one of their bikes.

The court heard just prior to the incident on May 26, the roof plumber had been drinking with his work colleagues before he walked to the Toowoomba Police Station and down its long driveway.

Toowoomba roof plumber site supervisor Benjamin James Clarke fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court after officers found him urinating on one of their bikes.

Magistrate Louise Shephard said the 24-year-old mounted a police bike before he began filming himself urinating on the bike.

She told the young man she did not believe his story that he was accidentally on police property because he was trying to take a shortcut.

Ms Shephard noted he was angry at police for downgrading the charges of a man who had allegedly assaulted him.

The Toowoomba Court House. Toowoomba City police station watchhouse. Picture: Peta McEachern

Solicitor Chelsea Saldumbide did not read her submissions into the record during the court proceeding, however Ms Shephard said she told the court Clarke was badly injured during the assault and has had a painful recovery.
The court heard Clarke had no criminal history and was intoxicated at the time of the offence.

At court on Wednesday, July 19, the site supervisor pleaded guilty to the wilful damage of police property and being on police property without a lawful reason.
He was fined $650 and had no conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba tradie Ben Clarke in court, busted filming police bike urination