Matthew William Birtles pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance

The devastating circumstances of a repeat public nuisance offender has come out in a Queensland courtroom as he admitted to terrorising residents with swear words in the heart of a small town.

Matthew William Birtles pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance and possessing a glass pipe when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court this week.

A man who repeatedly yelled profanities in the street, disturbing members of the public, has faced court.

Matthew William Birtles pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance and possessing a glass pipe when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court this week.

His court appearance comes a month after he was sentenced for a similar offence.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sonia Edwards said on August 31 police were sent to Richmond St about 5.10pm in regard to a disturbance.

When they arrived, the officers saw Birtles yelling and screaming, Sgt Edwards said.

The officers spoke to an informant who said Birtles was screaming and yelling profanities.

The informant was fearful of Birtles’ behaviour, the court was told, and did not want to walk down the street due to feeling anxious.

Birtles then began swearing and yelling at the officers, Sgt Edwards said.

When his property was being searched, a small pipe rolled out of a cloth, she said.

In a separate incident on September 22, police attended Fresh and Save supermarket in Maryborough in relation to reports of a man assaulting another man and causing a disturbance.

The officers arrived and saw a man matching the description they were provided walking along the Alice and Bazaar St area.

Matthew William Birtles pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance and possessing a glass pipe when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court this week.

The man was identified as Birtles.

Sgt Edwards said police formed a suspicion that he was involved in the assault and he was arrested so they could investigate.

He sat on the ground and his behaviour was “erratic and threatening in nature,” she said.

He told the officers to “get the f —k away from me, f —king scum”.

Birtles was asked to show what he was holding in his hands and he threw a lighter in the direction of the police vehicle and said “don’t touch me, I warn you”.

Children and others were in the vicinity, she said.

Sgt Edwards said there was no complaint made in regard to the alleged assault.

In a separate matter, on September 8 police were sent to Alice St where a member of the public was complaining about a man who was yelling and swearing.

Sgt Edwards said the man had been “doing it on and off for a number of days” and the member of the public wished to have the man moved on.

Police attended and heard Birtles yelling from the rear of the store.

They said he had received a complaint about his behaviour and he should leave.

Birtles did start walking towards a supermarket, but he started to shout swear, Sgt Edwards said, and he was arrested.

She said Birtles did have “some type of condition” that meant he used profanities.

The court was also told Birtles was homeless.

Duty lawyer Morgan Harris said Birtles was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and Tourette’s syndrome.

He said Birtles was usually medicated but being homeless, he was having issues accessing medication regularly.

Magistrate John Milburn thanked Birtles for the respectful manner with which he was dealing with the court.

He said Birtles’ criminal history was now “extensive” for public nuisance offending.

Mr Milburn said he accepted Birtles was suffering from a number of conditions that made him more vulnerable to “act in this way”.
He said it was difficult to sentence Birtles under the circumstances.

Birtles was fined $600 and convictions were recorded.

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Originally published as Matthew William Birtles pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance