Izac Lawrence: Public masturbator caught on Berowra train ‘humiliated’ and lost ‘social group’
A man who was sentenced over a public masturbation incident told the court he had been “punished” by a story in the media and had lost his “social group” but the magistrate said it was “open justice”. Read details here.
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A man who shocked commuters by masturbating in front of a woman on a Berowra train while filming himself has been “humiliated” by a story in the media and has lost his “social group”, a court has heard.
Izac Lawrence, 19, of Katoomba faced Hornsby Local Court today for sentencing after pleading guilty to wilful and obscene exposure in public place on December 27, 2019.
He had previously applied for a section 32 applicant on mental health grounds but it was rejected.
The incident took place just after 2.30pm on a train which was heading from Strathfield to Berowra when Lawrence sat directly across from a “young attractive woman”, according to a police facts sheet.
Court documents reveal Lawrence began masturbating with one hand on his penis, the other hand holding his mobile phone.
But a commuter intervened and yelled at Lawrence in defence of the woman, who moved seats and thanked the man who stepped in, according to police facts.
Lawrence got off the train to board a bus and the two witnesses provided statements to police.
Evidence collected by the police included video footage.
In court today the magistrate said she was struggling to find a suitable sentencing outcome while looking at Lawrence’s history.
“I’m just surprised he’s never engaged with a mental health professional,” Magistrate Louise McManus said.
Lawrence’s lawyer Mark Warren said his client was young and did have support.
“He does have the support of his mother. He’s certainly had some difficulty from drugs and abstained from most of the drugs since the last court appearance. Cannabis is still an issue. I suggest some counselling at the hospital there,” Mr Warren said.
Mr Warren also mentioned Lawrence had been dealing with backlash from being in the media and had been kicked out of his karate class.
“Mr Lawrence has suffered a penalty and it was widely spread on the internet. They saw the publication and photographs so that’s had an impact on his life, especially because he’s pursued martial arts.
“He’s achieved some level of success and wants to pursue that on a semi professional basis so there is some focus to his life there but certainly since that publication that has had issues for him in regards to training.”
Lawrence stated in court he had already been “punished” due to the publication and as a result he lost his “social group”.
In response, the magistrate said it was “open justice”.
“The difficulty is there is the other matter on your record. It is slightly different but of a sexual nature. What you need to do is start addressing whatever the issues are,” Magistrate McManus said.
She praised the “good Samaritan” who stood up and “protected” the woman Lawrence was masturbating to.
“The positive thing I see is the person who stood up on the train and challenged you in relation to this and came to the aid of the woman. Nobody should be subjected to that, she shouldn’t have to put up with that. The fact someone has to is not good is it?
“I understand you have suffered some humiliation because of this and that is a punishment, and that’s what happens with open justice.
“I look at you and I’m trying to work out a penalty, there’s also an element of public justice, the community has to know it’s not acceptable behaviour.”
Lawrence received a community corrections order of 12 months by supervision and was ordered to undergo counselling “to ensure this doesn’t happen again”.
“It’s abhorring behaviour so it’s something you need to address,” the magistrate stated.