Benjamin Wayne Dobie sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for drunken, public nuisance at Balgal Beach markets

A father was arrested at an NQ weekend markets after he asked a stall owner ‘where can you find p-ssy around here?’ all while his child slept in the back of the car.

Benjamin Wayne Dobie sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for drunken, public nuisance at Balgal Beach markets Picture: istock

A Townsville father, drunk at the weekend markets was arrested after making bizarre remarks to witnesses and repeatedly harassing a woman.

Benjamin Wayne Dobie appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning after he committed public nuisance by being drunk at the Balgal Beach markets after being asked to leave multiple times.

Police prosecutor Tim Madsen said at 8am on June 1 the father walked around the markets before he approached a woman and hugged her.

“(She) asked him to leave her alone however he kept coming up to her,” Mr Madsen said.

“She asked a male friend to stay with her as she was concerned with the defendant’s behaviour.

“(Dobie) tried touching her by extending his arms out and the male friend pushed him away, the defendant stated ‘I touched her breasts, I should’ve put pepper on it’.”

The court was told the man had been staying at the camping area with his son who he claimed was sleeping in the back of his ute.

Mr Madsen said the woman told Dobie to go to his son, and contacted the markets coordinator who called the police.

“He started to pick up items and was asked to stop touching everything unless he was going to buy them,” the police prosecutor said.

“He asked a store holder ‘where can you find p-ssy around here?’ and at another stall he sat down in a chair and refused to leave, causing a nuisance.”

The court was told when police arrived the man had passed out in his car, and market workers had supervised his child and provided him with breakfast.

“When asked where his son was he couldn’t answer,” Mr Madsen said.

Magistrate Viviana Keegan gave the man an opportunity to speak for himself as he was self-represented.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of any of that,” the man said.

“My actions that day were out of character and I was temporarily overwhelmed by the house and living crisis.

“I have not drank alcohol since.”

Dobie pleaded guilty to being drunk in a public place and committing a public nuisance.

He was fined $500, no conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Benjamin Wayne Dobie sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for drunken, public nuisance at Balgal Beach markets