Daniel Peter Freund faces court for being drunk in a public place after grabbing at two female gym staff members

A magistrate has labelled a Toowoomba man’s offences as ‘disgusting to say the least’ after he faced court for twice being drunk and disorderly in public.

Just days after he was officially declared bankrupt, a Toowoomba man had to be restrained by staff at a gym after he drunkenly tried to grab two women while they worked out.

Daniel Peter Freund appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to being drunk in a public place, causing an unreasonable annoyance, commit public nuisance and obstructing a police officer.

The court was told that at 3.45pm on August 29 this year police were called to a gym on Foundry Street, Toowoomba after the 38-year-old walked in and grabbed at a woman.

Police prosecutor Cameron Francis said police spoke to witnesses who said a heavily intoxicated Freund walked into the gym, approached a staff member and lunged at her, before grabbing at another woman who had came to her aid.

“Members of the public who were in the gym stopped their workout, and they were visibly disturbed by (Freund’s) disorderly behaviour,” he said.

When police arrived, Freund attempted to run away from police while he was being escorted to their vehicle.

The court was told about a week earlier on August 18 police had been called to a brothel in Harlaxton about 8.45pm where Freund had been refused entry.

Mr Francis said police found Freund to be so intoxicated that he had urinated in his pants and had thrown a number of chairs that were stacked outside the business after he was refused entry.

Freund’s solicitor Matt Gemmell said his client had no recollection of his actions, such was the level of his intoxication.

Mr Gemmell said his client was an industrial designer who had fallen into alcohol addiction after the break-up of his marriage and lack of visitation with his two sons.

After moving from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba earlier this year, Mr Gemmell said Freund’s bankruptcy was finalised on August 24.

Since the offences took place, Mr Gemmell said Freund had undertaken rehabilitation through Lives Lived Well and Alcoholics Anonymous and was supported by a network of his family and friends.

Magistrate Graham Lee said Freund’s behaviour was “disgusting to say the least”.

Freund was sentenced to 12 months probation, as well as 48 hours community service. No convictions were recorded.