By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A man has pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in a Hungry Jack’s restaurant and assaulting and threatening to harm staff at a Noble Park supermarket.
Kenneth James Murray, 40, of Noble Park emerged from the Narre Warren fast-food outlet’s toilet in his T-shirt and black jocks about 6.30pm on 7 February, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard.
A groaning Murray allegedly rubbed and held his exposed genitals as he approached dining customers.
He then filled himself a cup of drink at a self-serve counter, and took a large amount of serviettes with him into the toilets before he was escorted out by police.
During his interview with police, he denied rubbing his genitals in public.
He said: “I don’t have a penis for a start. If they saw it they must have a magnifying glass.”
The court was told the Murray used ice three times a week for pain relief due to a chronic workplace injury to his back.
Defence lawyer Siva Kandasamy said the accused was homeless at the time and needed to change his dirty pants in the toilet.
Murray had no other memory of the incident, the court heard.
He was also charged over pushing a loss prevention officer in the chest, and raising his fists and threatening to “smash” another after they pursued him for allegedly stealing a Big M at Coles Noble Park on 5 August.
As part of his subsequent bail conditions, Murray was banned from the supermarket but returned to allegedly steal a can of Coke and confectionery three days later.
On 12 August, Murray was told to leave the supermarket as he tried to buy a drink.
He replied to the staff member: “I know where you work. I’ll get you before or after work. I’ll get you sooner or later.”
Murray, who was on a community corrections order at the time of the incidents, had forgotten the dates for his supervised appointments.
Murray had also forgotten he was forbidden from the supermarket as part of his bail, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said it was difficult to know what to do for a sentence.
“He’s not going to comply with another corrections order.”
Murray, who has been in custody since 16 August, was remanded for a CREDIT bail assessment at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 1 September.
