Benjamin Ware sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for masturbating at Riverside Green Park

A man who was convicted for peeking under a men’s bathroom stall and asking for sexual favours has been caught during another disturbing encounter at a Townsville park.

Benjamin Ware was sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for masturbating at Riverside Green Park

Townsville City Council workers had a rude surprise earlier this year at Riverside Green Park when a man pulled down his pants and began masturbating in front of them.

Benjamin Ware was arrested after he kicked a police officer and told another one to ‘f – k off’ during a week of offensive behaviour which landed him behind bars.

Appearing in Townsville Magistrates Court via videolink from Townsville Correctional Centre, he laughed as his charges were read out to the room.

Police prosecutor Danny Burke said on May 26 this year police were called to the City Arcade shopping centre after Ware had been disrupting nearby shoppers by yelling out “c—sucker” and “d—head”.

When police tried to calm him down, Ware kicked one officer in the leg and later tried to escape them as he was escorted out of the shopping complex.

The next day he once again disturbed the peace by yelling at staff at the Public Trust of Queensland by calling them “c—ts” and “motherf—ers” before smashing one of their bells.

However his offending escalated on June 3 when he started a gardner’s day off with a very rude shock.

Riverside Green Park, Douglas

“There was a member of Townsville City Council who was whipper snipping … he observed (Ware) drop his trousers and start masturbating in the open area of the park where ordinary members of the community have access,” he said.

“It was 7:15am in the morning where there are members of the community on walks, runs and on their way to school.”

When police arrived Ware told them to “f--k off”, the court heard.

Mr Burke said in 2024 Ware had previously been sentenced to prison after entering a men’s bathroom and peeking underneath a cubicle.

“(Ware) then walked outside and dropped his pants exposing his genitalia and started stroking it and asked the victim on that occasion to give him a handjob,” he said.

Defence lawyer Alena Cernusco from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services said the man had been struggling with homelessness at the time and while in jail had been provided help by the prison mental health team.

Ware pleaded guilty to the 11 charges which included public nuisance, wilful damage, assault of a police officer and indecent act in a public place.

Magistrate Susan Warrington sentenced him to six months jail with a parole release date set for August 2.

His 49 days spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.

Originally published as Benjamin Ware sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court for masturbating at Riverside Green Park