Man pleads guilty to causing a public nuisance

A father of three who has been married for 50 years offered to give a teenager $100 for a handjob, a court has heard.

The man, who the Chronicle has chosen not to name, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance when he appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court.

A man with a moderate cognitive impairment who asked a teenager for a handjob while driving around the Fraser Coast has learnt his fate in court.

The man, who the Chronicle has chosen not to name, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance when he appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Balam Selvadurai said the incident happened on January 11, 2025 at 2pm, when a 15-year-old girl waiting to be picked up from a Maryborough address saw a white sedan pull up.

The elderly man behind the wheel looked at her and said “something about a handjob”, Sgt Selvadurai said.

The teenager started a video recording on her phone and said “pardon”, the court heard.

The man said words to the effect of “handjob. That’s all. One hundred dollars” Sgt Selvadurai said.

The teen felt extremely uncomfortable, said no and then got up and left, he said.

A complaint was made to police, who carried out an investigation.

CCTV footage was obtained and the vehicle was matched to the defendant.

The girl’s description of the man also matched his appearance, Sgt Selvadurai said.

The man, who the Chronicle has chosen not to name, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance when he appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court.

Police went to the man’s home to carry out an interview on March 30, he said.

His wife was present, and he denied any knowledge of the incident, the court heard.

It was clear his wife had no idea about the incident, Sgt Selvadurai said, but she had no doubt it was him as she explained his past similar convictions.

The recording was played, where the man’s voice could clearly be heard, with his wife saying the voice was “no doubt his”, Sgt Selvadurai said.

Sgt Selvadurai described it as “disgusting behaviour”.

The court heard the man had worked as a cook and in the mines.

He had been married for 50 years and had three adult children, the court was told.

Two of his children were supporting him in court, with one writing a reference on his behalf.

The man had moderate cognitive impairment, the court heard, possibly caused by alcohol-related dementia.

The court heard that did not reach the extent that it was an excuse for the offending.

The man could recall the offence but didn't have an explanation for why he did it, the court heard.

Magistrate John Milburn acknowledged the man had the support of his family.

He also considered the impact of the offending on the victim.

Mr Milburn said he had some information about the cognitive impairment suffered by the man, which he also took into account.

The man was fined $800 and a conviction was recorded.

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Originally published as Man pleads guilty to causing a public nuisance