Danny Hagarty: Alleged Tweed Heads public masturbator refused bail
A man has appeared in court after he allegedly performed a lewd act while looking at children near a playground in Tweed Heads.
Police & Courts
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Frightened mothers were forced to shield their children from an alleged public masturbator near a playground a court has heard.
Danny Hagarty, 43, appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday where he applied for bail.
He faces charges of carrying out a sexual act with another without consent, goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen and custody of a knife in a public place.
He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
It is alleged on June 14 near the playground at Jack Evans Boat Harbour Mr Hagarty was masturbating about 10.30am.
The incident was reported to police who commenced an investigation.
He was spoken to by police on June 16 on Boundary Street, Tweed Heads.
Police allege upon searching the man, they located a pair of binoculars, two knives and items believed to be stolen including a bike and identification cards.
In court police prosecutor Sergeant Nathan Lockett opposed Mr Hagarty’s bail.
He told the court Mr Hagarty had a history of failing to appear and this alleged offending was an escalation of similar offending in Queensland.
He said there was an extreme risk to the safety of children and the community if he were to be granted bail.
Defence lawyer Geoff Gallagher said his client suffered from schizophrenia and said he hadn’t been taking his medication as of late.
He proposed conditions his client could report to police daily, not be within 100m of Jack Evans Harbour, follow a treatment order, not approach witnesses and be of good behaviour.
The court heard at the time Mr Hagarty was on a suspended jail sentence in Queensland.
Magistrate Peter Bugden noted in the police fact sheet it was alleged Mr Hagarty had masturbated in the park while staring at children.
It was alleged mothers in the park had to shield their children frightened by Mr Hagarty’s behaviour.
Magistrate Bugden refused his bail.
The matter is next listed on July 26.
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