Mildura grub Shane Holtham exposes himself to underage girls at shopping centre

A Mildura man blamed needing to itch a skin condition when he was caught following two young girls into a clothing store and exposing his penis, a court has heard.

Shane Holtham leaves Mildura Magistrates' Court to be assessed for a community corrections order. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

A Mildura deviant who exposed his penis to two underage girls at a busy shopping centre claims he did it because of a lifelong skin condition, a court has heard.

Shane Holtham, 51, fronted court to plead guilty to charges including sexual exposure in a public place.

The court heard Holtham followed two young girls, aged 14 and 11, into a female clothing store at Mildura Central on October 6 last year.

Once inside the store, Holtham hid behind a rack of clothing and exposed his penis to the young girls.

Holtham exposed his penis to two underage girls at a women’s clothing store at Mildura Central. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

The girls ran out of the store but Holtham followed them. He was stopped by security guards and later arrested by police.

Once arrested, Holtham made admissions to exposing himself but said it was because his penis was itchy due to the severe dermatitis he had been suffering from his entire life.

Holtham’s lawyer, Danielle Lamovie, said her client was under a significant amount of stress at the time and had been drinking heavily.

“He had been drinking a vast amount of alcohol the night before — a case of bourbon and coke — and had two drinks in the morning before going to the shopping centre,” she said.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan rejected Holtham’s reasoning for exposing himself to the two underage girls.

The defence lawyer attempted to have Holtham’s identity hidden, arguing his mental health could be adversely affected by any media reporting of the case.

Ms Lamovie added reporting would jeopardise his personal safety after overhearing comments made by a member of the public in the courtroom during the case — despite his name being used throughout the hearing.

She urged the court to hand down a deferred sentence or good behaviour bond, citing her client’s mental health issues and alcohol problems.

However, Magistrate Michael Coghlan denied the suppression order and rejected the deferred sentence suggestion outright.

“Clearly these were acts you engaged in, in the presence of young children,” Mr Coghlan said.

“Your behaviour directed at (the victims) is completely unacceptable. I do not accept your excuse,” Mr Coghlan continued, referencing Holtham’s claim his dermatitis compelled him to pull his penis out.

Holtham exposed himself to two young girls, aged 14 and 11, at a female clothing store at Mildura Central. Picture: Generic

Holtham was sentenced to an 18 month community corrections order that includes taking part in drug and alcohol abuse programs and mental health treatment.

He may also have to participate in programs that reduce the risk of him reoffending.