Logan man Michael Shaw in Brisbane Court for sexually assaulting three women

A young first time offender sexually assaulted three women in a single morning after trying meth for the first time, a Brisbane court has heard.

Michael Shaw, 21, leaves Brisbane Magistrates' Court on June 12. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A young Logan man has faced court for sexually assaulting three women on public transport in just one morning after trying meth for the first time, a court has heard.

First-time offender Michael Shaw, 21, inappropriately touched three women – including a 17-year-old – while on public transport on the morning of February 20, 2023.

The Brisbane Magistrates’ Court heard he had been on a three-day drug binge on the Gold Coast that weekend after trying methamphetamine for the first time.

On February 20, Shaw was on the train when he harassed and sexually assaulted the 17-year-old, whom the court heard was “frozen in fear”.

The court was told she pressed the emergency button as Shaw stroked and kissed her thigh and made vulgar comments.

Magistrate Louise Shephard said Shaw also told the girl he had “bashed and stabbed someone”.

Shaw then got off the train and on to a bus.

Ms Shephard said he targeted another female, 26, stroking and squeezing her thigh despite her protests.

The court heard he then sexually assaulted the third woman, 22, on a different bus by kissing her on the cheek and making inappropriate comments.

When he arrived home, Shaw’s father was so concerned at his son’s state that he called an ambulance, Ms Shephard said.

A psychiatrist’s report revealed Shaw had suffered a severe brain injury after an accident in 2020.

The report said Shaw’s mental health deteriorated after the injury and he struggled with a potential psychotic illness.

But the court heard Shaw now had help from antipsychotic medication and was a registered NDIS client.

The report said Shaw’s brazen offending was “consistent with the impact of methamphetamine acting on his vulnerable brain.”

Ms Shephard said the report suggested Shaw had been “disinhibited, impulsive, and … would have had no appreciation of the distress that he was causing to these women”.

Ms Shephard said Shaw’s brain injury separated him from similar offenders, but that general deterrence was still a priority.

“Women should be able to travel on public transport without fear of being manhandled in this way,” she said.

“A message does need to be sent to the community.”

Shaw was sentenced to 18 months’ probation. Convictions were recorded.