India Watson, Max Rayfield sentenced for visiting heart-shaped waterhole

A young couple has faced court for trespassing in a military area to visit an Instagram-famous waterfall during a romantic picnic that didn’t go as planned.

A young couple has pleaded guilty to entering a military area for a romantic picnic at an Instagram-famous waterfall, despite it being permanently closed to the public after a teenager drowned there.

India Anne Watson, 22, of Mermaid Beach, and Max Paul Rayfield, 23 of Ormeau, both pleaded guilty in Beaudesert Magistrates Court on Tuesday to a charge of unauthorised entry of defence premises.

But the pair got lucky when Magistrate Tracy Mossop dismissed the case, despite acknowledging a spate of youths had faced court for trespassing at Killarney Glen falls and waterhole.

Max Rayfield. Photo - Facebook.

Police prosecutor Snr-Constable Andrew Bjerring said the couple was detected at the Beechmont site, in the Scenic Rim, about 2pm on August 11.

“I wish they (the Defence Department) would fix their fence,” the couple’s lawyer joked in court.

In December 2016, a 19-year-old man drowned at the falls, which must be accessed by crossing the Department of Defence-owned Canungra Field Training Area.

Late last year the Department of Defence closed the falls after a review of safety risks, a decision backed by the Scenic Rim Regional Council.

Killarney Glen. Picture: Bob Fairless

Sen-Constable Bjerring told the court signage warned walkers the falls were closed.

“There was a vehicle parked across the road and the vehicle was registered to the defendants,’’ he told the court.

“Police phoned Mr Rayfield, who immediately apologised and returned to his vehicle upon the request of police.

“He said he’d gone into the area to look at the waterfall. He said he’d seen the signs not permitting entry but had been recommended the waterfall by a friend, who said it was okay to enter.”

The court heard Rayfield works part time at BWS, and was studying to be a physiotherapist at Griffith University.

He heard of the heart-shaped pool from a friend, and thought it would be a good idea to take his girlfriend there for a picnic.

“That didn’t work out so well for them,” his lawyer said.

Watson, who is studying nursing at Griffith University, works in aged care and disability support.

India Watson. Photo: Facebook.

The court heard neither had any previous criminal history.

“I’m a bit concerned about (a hole) in the fence,” Ms Mossop told the court.

“Also, because of the fact that they’re both working in the medical industry and likely to become government employees, I’m actually considering that their punishment today is having to come to court.

“They now know the severity of what they’ve done.

“I’m dismissing the charges but you’re both on significant notice about making sure that it is okay to enter a property.

“There are signs up which say that you can’t enter. Despite the fact that there’s a well-worn track, a hole in the fence, and lots of other people are doing it.

“It would seem the Defence Force have had plenty of opportunity, with these cases coming before the court, to rectify the fencing issue.”

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as India Watson, Max Rayfield sentenced for visiting heart-shaped waterhole