You’re a menace’: Repeat sex offender Michael Kevin Samson Wees sentenced in Cairns District Court

A convicted sex offender was described as “every parents’ worst nightmare” before he was sentenced for repeatedly touching and harassing underage girls on the street.

A convicted sex offender was described as “every parents’ worst nightmare” before he was sentenced for repeatedly touching and harassing underage girls on the street.

Michael Kevin Samson Wees, 33, pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent treatment of a child under 16 last September, when Judge Tracy Fantin noted there was a “brazen and concerning aspect to this” and ordered Wees be further remanded in custody pending a pre-sentence psychiatric report.

Michael Kevin Samson Wees pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, with the court hearing he approached a 14-year-old and an eight-year-old in public places. Picture: Supplied

Defence barrister Rachelle Logan said at the time she held the same concerns, and Wees had no engagement with prison mental health services.

A report from Cairns psychiatrist Dr Siva Bala prepared on February 3 was submitted to the court.

Prosecutor Emily Thambaya highlighted the report stated Wees had a substance abuse disorder and a pedophilic disorder, was well above the average risk of reoffending, and needed treatment for deviant sexual interests.

But Judge Dean Morzone KC observed Dr Bala had stated in the report there was no indication of mental illness.

Ms Thambaya said the first offence happened when a 14-year-old girl in her school uniform was waiting for the bus, and Wees engaged with her then touched her on the bottom.

The second offence occurred two months later when an eight-year-old was walking with her mother, and Wees grabbed the girl with one arm and touched and squeezed her bottom with his other arm.

The court heard that Wees was previously sentenced for making observations in breach of privacy against a 14-year-old girl, by peering through her window, and was later charged with stalking the same girl over a four-month period.

Cairns District Court heard Wees previously stalked a 14-year-old girl over four months, entering her home at night, where he was discovered by her grandmother. Picture: File photo

He entered the girl’s home at night, where he was disturbed by her grandmother, and he told the woman he was going to see his girlfriend.

Ms Thambaya said Wees had been before court 12 times including a making child exploitation material charge in 2013.

“He persistently harassed and sought contact with the girl despite efforts for him to stop, he said he was looking for his girlfriend, but she was a stranger to him,” Ms Thambaya said.

Ms Logan said Wees, who had done 358 days in pre-sentence custody, could live with his mother, but his sister and her children lived there, and as he was a ‘reportable offender’ there could be a problem.

A reportable offender is someone who has been convicted on charges involving child exploitation material, child abuse material, or a sex offence against a child.

Cairns Ditrict Court Judge Dean Morzone KC told Wees his offending, including indecently touching an eight-year-old who was walking with her mother, was ‘stealthlike’. PIcture: File photo

Police investigate and charge reportable offenders who fail to comply with prohibition orders.

Ms Logan said despite being homeless at times, Wees completed a 200 hour community service order.

She outlined Queensland Corrective Services treatment programs that would be appropriate for Wees and said sexual offenders could be case managed.

“You’re a menace and every parents’ nightmare,” Judge Dean Morzone KC said.

“These children were young, 14 and eight, you were a complete stranger to them and you touched them in a public place, a bus stop and a footpath.

“Your offending was stealth-like and diversionary in that you distracted them by speaking to them,” he said.

He declared 358 days as time served and released Wees on 12 months’ probation with orders that he must submit to psychiatric and psychological sex offender and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

Originally published as You’re a menace’: Repeat sex offender Michael Kevin Samson Wees sentenced in Cairns District Court