Patrick Beaman: ‘Gentleman sailor’ requested secret nude pics, court hears

A Defence Force Magistrate has lectured a “gentleman sailor” about mateship after he admitted to asking for secret nude pics of a female ADF member.

A Defence Force Magistrate has told a “gentleman sailor” who asked to see nude pics of a female service member his conduct was infantile and “to be blunt - pathetic”.

Able Seaman Patrick Beaman, 39, faced the defence force magistrates court in Canberra on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a single charge of prejudicial conduct.

According to the statement of agreed facts read out in court in September 2020 Beaman contacted fellow sailor Fred Whitson and asked him to share nude images of a servicewoman because he “needed to w**k”.

Beaman pleaded guilty to a single charge of prejudicial conduct after he requested nude pics of a female ADF member from former sailor Fred Whitson. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The former fiancee of Whitson noticed Beaman’s message flash on Whitson’s phone.

She then confronted her partner and ultimately alerted the victim.

Whitson, an artist and former sailor, was dismissed from the ADF by Defence Force Magistrate Major General Michael Cowan last month after being convicted of two counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence and of prejudicial conduct.

The court heard in August Whitson convinced the complainant to pose nude for him under the pretence that he would only use the images as a reference to paint paintings of the woman.

However Whitson shared the images of the woman with Beaman in 2020 and with fellow sailor, 38 year old Fletcher Mitchell in 2015.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to a single charge of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence and had his rank reduced from Leading Seaman to Able Seaman when he was sentenced alongside Whitson in August.

Fred Whitson (left) and Fletcher Mitchell (right) leave the Defence Magistrates Court, Canberra. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

In a victim impact statement read out to the court on Tuesday the complainant said she once considered Beaman as a “friend”.

The woman said she now saw the less-than gentlemanly sailor as someone who couldn't be trusted - “conniving”, “sneaky and slimy”.

Defence Force magistrate Group Captain Scott Geeves said the victim impact statement “described (Beaman) quite accurately”.

“(His actions were) infantile and to be blunt - pathetic.”

The sailor’s lawyer told the court Beaman had been in the navy for over 20 years, first as a reservist and then full time since 2007.

He told the court he studied at Adelaide University and had previously worked at the Adelaide Symphony orchestra before joining the navy full time.

Patrick Beaman in uniform. Picture: Facebook

Patrick Beaman leaving court. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

He said at the time of his client’s offending Beaman was separating with his then-wife, and said the marriage was strained due to the sailor being moved from Melbourne to Sydney for work.

Beaman read out an apology to the woman where he said he was “naive” at the time of offending and said if he had his time again he wouldn’t act in the same way.

“You are a strong talented person,” he said.

“I hope you are able to heal and forgive.”

Patrick Beaman (left) and Fred Whitman (far right). Both men were involved in sharing nude pics of a female ADF member without her knowledge. Picture: Facebook

In sentencing Group Captain Geeves said Beaman’s actions were “not a way to treat your mate”.

“You are old and wise enough to know what mateship entails,” he said.

“You threw mateship out of the window because of the shameful way you acted like a teenage boy who was trying to satisfy certain urges by running around looking for salacious images.

“If you are feeling low now, you should be.

“You should be hanging your head in shame.

“I hope today is burned in your memory.”

Patrick Beaman was reduced in rank, fined and given a severe reprimand. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Group captain Geeves said Beaman was once described as a “gentleman sailor” which contradicted the actions he had made against the complainant.

After convicting the shamed sailor the magistrate ultimately reduced Beaman’s rank from Able Seaman to Seaman, issued a severe reprimand and fined him $1000.

Group Captain Geeves said if Beaman had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty following a trial, he would have considered stricter punishments including defence detention and dismissal from the defence force.

The magistrate gave Beaman a few more stern words before ending proceedings.

“If you find yourself back in a situation like this again … I’ll be dealing with you in a completely different manner,” he said.

“The repercussions for you and the rest of your life will be severe.

“Do I make myself clear?”