Cameron Francis masturbated at Nerang skatepark, pulled tyre iron on witness

A 17-year-old was among the shocked witnesses to the man’s lewd act at a Gold Coast skatepark, during which he pulled a tyre iron on the person who tried to confront him.

A serial public masturbator has been sentenced in court for his latest lewd act. Picture: AndreyPopov/iStock

A serial public masturbator armed himself with a tyre iron when confronted during his latest lewd act at a Gold Coast skatepark.

A 17-year-old was among the four people faced by a shirtless Cameron Francis as he masturbated in his car at the Nerang skatepark on May 25.

Southport Magistrates Court was told the 39-year-old ignored their shouts for him to stop, instead stripping completely naked and standing next to his car, “offering a full view of his genitals”.

One of the young adults approached and kicked Francis’ vehicle in an attempt to confront him or scare him off. Francis pulled a tyre iron from inside the car and brandished it at them, saying “Don’t start something you can’t finish” and motioned as if to get out of the car.

The 20-year-old witness turned and ran in fear.

The court was told it was the eighth time Francis had been sentenced for similar acts - the most recent only weeks prior to the skatepark incident. His criminal history included convictions for exposing himself or masturbating at several parks and other public areas on the Gold Coast, including the Robina train station.

He had previously told police he “had a problem” and that his public indecency usually happened when he was on “ice”, it was heard.

Defence lawyer Shannon Fletcher said there was a clear causal link between her client’s offending and his methamphetamine use, which had escalated in recent months.

Ms Fletcher said her client had now spent more than two months in custody and that being released on parole would offer him better support and opportunities for rehabilitation.

Magistrate Louisa Pink told Francis she was not surprised that he was embarrassed by his latest act.

Ms Pink said she accepted Francis’ offending was tied to his drug abuse, but that he was aware of it and had now had several opportunities – including multiple probation orders – to try to address his issues.

“Your conduct is serious – I consider you a risk to the community,” Ms Pink said.

Francis pleaded guilty to several offences including going armed so as to cause fear, indecent act in a public place, and contravening a probation order.

He was sentenced to six months’ jail with immediate parole release, and his two-month suspended term was also activated. He was also fined $600.