Former Kookaburra Showboat Cruises manager admits to indecent assault, sending masturbation videos to colleague

Steven John Gentile, 63, pleaded guilty to two charges after sending a video to a young female colleague of himself masturbating and ejaculating in the company storeroom.

Former Kookaburra Queen captain Steve Gentle pictured at Brisbane Magistrates court on Friday, February 24, 2023 Picture: David Clark

A former manager for the company that operated Brisbane’s iconic Kookaburra Queen river cruises indecently assaulted a young colleague and sent her videos of himself masturbating.

Steven John Gentile, 63, pleaded guilty to one count each of using a carriage service to menace or harass and indecently assault in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

He was employed as the Operations Manager for Kookaburra Showboat Cruises for three-and-a-half years between November 2017 and April 2021.

The victim was a young female colleague.

Steven Gentile arrives at Brisbane Magistrates Court for sentencing on Friday. Photo: David Clark.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Martin Payne said Gentile and his colleague initially used Snapchat to discuss work and there was nothing sexual.

“The defendant began sending messages of a sexual nature, which the complainant did not reciprocate,” he told the court.

“On January 6, 2021, the defendant sent a picture of his penis to the complainant via Snapchat. The defendant sent two more photographs of his penis.

“The complainant responded: ‘That’s gross, you shouldn’t be sending that’.”

On February 19, 2021, Gentile sent the woman a video of himself masturbating and ejaculating, with his face visible.

“The woman recognised that they were filmed in the Eagle Street storeroom used by Kookaburra Showboat Cruises in Brisbane CBD.

“Gentile also used Snapchat to send the young woman a cartoon image depicting someone giving oral sex to a woman, with the caption: “Every girl needs that one best friend.”

“On March 13, 2021, Gentile and the victim were in the company’s storeroom together when he indecently assaulted her.

“The defendant was doing something with ice, the complainant was facing the cage – the defendant was behind her,” Sergeant Payne told the court.

“The defendant has grabbed and squeezed the complainant’s buttocks. The complainant turned around and said words to the effect of: ‘Hey, can you not do that’.”

The following month, Gentile sent the young woman a message:

“I want you to know that I don’t blame you, and I am genuinely sorry if you were ever made to feel uncomfortable,” Gentile wrote.

The Kookaburra Queen at Eagle Street Pier in May 2022. Photo: Richard Walker.

Police searched Gentile’s home in July 2021.

They seized his mobile phone, but found no evidence on it, however, officers did interview Gentile at the time.

He admitted to sending videos and messages to the victim via Snapchat, but claimed it was “for the victim’s arousal”.

He also claimed the victim sent him pictures of her breasts and “he had no intention to insult or offend” her with the pictures he sent.

Gentile denied indecently assaulting her and claimed the young woman had kissed him on the cheek in the company’s storeroom on the day in question.

The victim denied sending him pictures of her breasts and kissing him in the storeroom.

When reporting the incidents to police, the victim described Gentile’s actions as “gross and degrading” and they made her feel “uncomfortable and unsafe”.

Sergeant Payne described them as: “Brazen, graphic and continued, despite the complainant’s objections.”

Gentile’s lawyer Troy Smith told the court his client had written a letter of apology to the victim and offered monetary compensation.

Gentile’s mother had also written him a supporting letter.

Mr Smith said Gentile had only one dated entry in his criminal history from 1979, and he had been a productive member of society for his adult life.

Former Kookaburra Queen manger Steve Gentle pictured at Brisbane Magistrates court. Picture: David Clark

Mr Smith said Gentile lost his job with Kookaburra Showboat Cruises, had found it difficult to get other hospitality work, and is now working part time at a service station.

Mr Smith asked for a conviction not to be recorded against Gentile because he hoped to travel to see his partner’s family in Pakistan in the near future.

However, Magistrate Mark Nolan did not grant Gentile’s wish in sentencing.

“Your conduct is repugnant in every respect, you were in a position where you could exercise managerial authority over this woman and you took advantage of that,” the magistrate said.

“She deserved to be treated respectfully and with dignity … a young woman should not have to go to work and be treated in this manner.

“It is difficult to comprehend why you every thought this was appropriate behaviour … and the fact you continued is a significant concern.”

He described the messages and videos Gentile sent to the young woman as “disgraceful and disgusting”.

Magistrate Nolan decided not to sentence Gentile to actual prison time.

However, he ordered him to put up a $2000 bond and be of good behaviour for two years. He will also be subject to a supervision order and probation order for 15 months.

Gentile cannot travel overseas without the permission of Queensland Corrective Services and Magistrate Nolan recorded convictions on his record.

Gentile will also pay the victim $1000 compensation.

The Kookaburra Queens’ journeys along the Brisbane River were officially ended in November, when the parent company went into liquidation.

Originally published as Former Kookaburra Showboat Cruises manager admits to indecent assault, sending masturbation videos to colleague