Liam Taylor sentenced at Darwin Local Court for indecent act

Judge Julie Franz said the offence had left a “bad” effect on the victim, who fled the scene with her two young children.

Liam Taylor was sentenced at Darwin Local Court for masturbating in front of a mother and her children.

A man who masturbated in front of a mother and her children has been sentenced more than 18 months after committing the offence.

On Monday morning, Liam Taylor, 24, appeared at Darwin Local Court to plead guilty to behaving in an indecent manner in a public place.

Court documents show on the morning of April 9, 2023, a mother was supervising her two young children riding their push bikes in an empty car park next to the Darwin Turf Club.

Taylor, accompanied by an unknown woman, walked into the car park and made eye contact with the mother.

Taylor then left the area.

Moments later, the mother turned to see Taylor standing by himself at a cluster of trees nearby with his pants around knees, looking in the direction of the mother and masturbating.

The mother yelled at him to “stop”, however Taylor continued to masturbate.

When the mother yelled out she would call the police, Taylor pulled up his pants and walked away.

Taylor broke stride twice to look back at the mother, who told him to “f—k off” before taking her kids back to the car and driving off.

More than 18 months since the incident occurred, Taylor faced court to have his matter finalised.

The court hear Taylor had a “serious” criminal history. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The prosecution said Taylor had a “serious” criminal history, which included numerous breaches of orders and violent offending.

“It is a less serious offence than his priors, however it is a very serious example of the offence given its brazen, protracted nature (and) the perseverance of the accused in the presence of two young children, as well as the victim.”

Judge Julie Franz addressed Taylor directly.

“You must know how serious it is and you must not do it again,” she said.

“It was serious because it occurred in a public place, as the prosecutor said you went on for some time, you didn’t just stop and there were children that saw what happened – that is very bad.”

Judge Franz noted the offence had made a lasting impact on the victim.

“This has had a bad effect on her and a long effect on her.”

Taylor was sentenced to a 12-month community correction order.