Man admits indecent act in local museum

A man pleaded guilty in Masterton District Court yesterday to pulling his pants down in a local museum and performing an indecent act near a grandmother and her grandchild because he "was bored".

Judge Tony Walsh requested that a mental health report and pre-sentence report should be compiled on the 39-year-old man who was described as having a history of mental health problems by his lawyer Louise Elder.

The indecent act which occurred on May 2 at about 2.40pm was in a public section of the museum that was accessible to all visitors.

In explanation to police the Masterton man said he pulled his pants down in Aratoi Museum in Masterton and committed the act because he "was bored".

Sergeant Garry Wilson, prosecuting, said on the afternoon in question the defendant, who was given interim name suppression to protect his identity, was inside the museum when he moved from a gallery to a side room where a small theatre was situated.

The defendant sat down on one of the chairs in front of a TV screen. He then pulled his pants down and performed an indecent act.

Sergeant Garry Wilson told Judge Walsh that during this time a 52-year-old woman walked into the theatre with her grandson. The defendant stood up immediately, pulled his pants up and said that he was "sorry".

When later spoken to by police the man admitted to what had happened.

He told police he knew he was doing the wrong thing but that he was bored. He also said he was really sorry for his behaviour.

Ms Elder told Judge Walsh her client had a "long history of intervention with community mental health services".

She requested that a mental health assessment should be carried out to evaluate the psychological wellbeing of the defendant. She also asked Judge Walsh for an interim name suppression order to protect the identity of the defendant. Ms Elder said a name suppression, at least in the short-term, would be of great benefit to the accused and his partner who was supporting him.

"He has been suffering from increased anxiety and publication is likely to send his anxiety levels through the roof," she said. "His partner has found [the incident] difficult to deal with and if anything was to happen to her level of support the situation would be compounded."

Judge Walsh remanded the accused on bail and directed that the two reports should be compiled.

He subsequently adjourned the case for six weeks.