Paul Kuhn sentenced for his illegal night at the museum
Paul Kuhn took an infamous and illegal after-dark tour of the Australian Museum, taking selfies with the exhibits and donning a staffer’s hat. Today a magistrate handed down his punishment.
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The German trespasser who broke into the Australian Museum and took selfies with his head inside a dinosaur skull has heard the cost of his drunken self-guided tour.
Paul Kuhn’s wild night at the museum has fetched him a conviction, a 12-month Community Corrections Order and a $500 fine at the Downing Centre Local Court today.
He was charged with break, enter and steal, after he climbed the scaffolding of the Darlinghurst museum and entered the premises through a fire escape door, taking two souvenirs with him.
After entering the museum at about 1.10am on May 10, international student Kuhn moved through multiple levels, taking selfies with the exhibits.
The charges hold a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, which the court heard should “bring home the seriousness” of the offence.
The baby faced 25-year-old from Ultimo will now serve his good behaviour bond within the community.
The court heard he forced open at least one door to gain further access to the museum.
Kuhn removed an employee’s cowboy-style hat and wore it for the length of his travels.
He also stole a framed photograph from the museum, which he later returned along with the Akubra hat after seeing the CCTV footage.
The CCTV footage showed Kuhn casually strolling through the museum and taking selfies with dinosaur bones and other exhibits.
Kuhn’s lawyer Steven Mercael claimed that after climbing the scaffolding on College St he was unable to find a way back down.
While inside, Mr Mercael said, alcohol fuelled his escapades.
Mr Mercael told the court Kuhn had no intention to cause harm or steal any valuable items that would benefit him financially.
Kuhn pleaded guilty at his first court appearance and has since called the museum to apologise, the court heard.
Upon convicting him, magistrate Jennifer Price said the need to deter others from committing such crimes outweighed his general good character and lack of criminal record.
Kuhn’s museum break and enter had a “cost to the community if only in terms of insurance premiums” to make sure the Australian Museum properties are secure, magistrate Price told the court.
The “objects are priceless”, she said, and the “need to protect the community and its assets” was paramount.
Kuhn has been in Australia for over two years, with intentions to stay into the future, the court heard.
He “loves this country”.