‘You left an indelible memory’: Magistrate berates flasher

A man exposed himself in front of schoolchildren at a busy southside shopping centre in what a magistrate called a “disgusting and horrible act’’.

Ross Austin Prigge (left) with his solicitor outside Holland Park court.

A man who exposed himself in front of schoolchildren at Garden City shopping centre on Brisbane’s southside probably affected the students for life, a magistrate told the flasher.

Ross Austin Prigge faced Holland Park Magistrates Court this morning charged with committing an indecent act on August 29 last year.

Acting Magistrate Robert Turra said there were no victimless crimes and this case was certainly no different.

“Here, you probably left an indelible memory on the people who saw you that day,’’ he told Prigge.

“It’s something they have got to live with.

“We have to protect the community from the likes of you.

“This was a disgusting and horrible act in front of school students.

“I have got to consider them and the effect it must have on them - what a horrible experience it must have been for them, and I’m sure continues to be.’’

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Prigge’s lawyer, Garry Wooler, said his client suffered from a range of mental problems including attention deficit disorder, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He said Prigge, 47, was on a disability support pension and lived at home with his mother and was her carer.

Mr Wooler said his client had no convictions for similar offences, but did have a long history of minor dishonesty offences including break and enter.

“He has no recollection of these events. At the time he was probably aware of what was occurring but he can’t now recall any of it.’’

He asked for probation for Prigge so he could address his mental health and other issues.

Mr Turra said he took into account Prigge’s early plea on the indecency charge and another charge of entering a premises to commit an indictable offence.

He took into account that this was Prigge’s first indecency offence.

Mr Turra said he also considered Prigge’s mental state, although he noted no recent medical information supporting that had been presented to the court.

“I have to balance rehabilitation with protection of the community,’’ Mr Turra said.

He sentenced Prigge on the entering premises charge to four months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months. A conviction was recorded.

He also paroled Prigge for 12 months on the indecency charge.