Corey Curnow: Ouyen man masturbated in front of woman at servo

A man has been caught masturbating in public for a second time in less than three months in Victoria’s northwest.

One of the incidents occurred at the Caltex service station at Farrell St, Ouyen. Picture: Google Maps

A man dropped his pants and masturbated in the presence of a woman weeks after a court appearance for a similar offence.

On Tuesday at Mildura Magistrates’ Court, Ouyen man Corey Curnow, 27, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity directed at another person.

The pleas related to two incidents, the first in Mildura on December 10 last year and a second in Ouyen last Friday.

Police told the court the most recent incident occurred at the Caltex service station in Farrell St at about 8.30am.

A female witness saw Curnow by himself under the carport with his hands down his pants masturbating.

Police said after eye contact was made, Curnow pulled down his pants and exposed his genitalia.

The witness was said to be “disgusted”, especially as the act happened near a school around drop-off time.

When police later observed Curnow near the service station, he ran away before eventually being apprehended and taken to Mildura police station.

In the Mildura incident, two teenage girls observed Curnow with his hands down his pants while sitting on grass in the Seventh St and Langtree Ave area, between the city’s CBD and riverfront.

Officers who arrived observed Curnow masturbating, which was also captured by CCTV.

At a hearing earlier this month, Curnow’s lawyer indicated there was a dispute as to whether eye contact was made with the girls, aged 15 and 16.

On Tuesday, the charge of sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16 was dropped.

Curnow’s lawyer said he suffered from schizophrenia and his mother had concerns about his mental health.

The lawyer said Curnow was affected by ice at the time of the December incident, however not last week’s.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said Curnow’s victims were no doubt distressed and concerned by his actions.

“It is unwelcome and unwanted,” Mr Coghlan said.

Curnow was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison.

Upon release, he must comply with a community corrections order for 12 months with conditions about treatment, assistance and participation in programs.

He will be a registered sex offender for eight years.