Community work for indecency, shoplifting

A DUNEDIN nurse continued masturbating in public even when confronted by offended witnesses, a court has heard.

Jonathan David YardleyJones (37) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of doing an indecent act, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard and shoplifting.

The charges stemmed from alcoholfuelled behaviour while the defendant lived in Wellington last year, the court heard.

YardleyJones had since moved to Dunedin with his partner, defence counsel Nathan Laws said.

In January he was in Ebor St in Wellington without any pants or underwear, pleasuring himself on the roadside.

When confronted by an upset passerby he removed a nearby section of fencing and made for a worksite portable toilet.

It provided him with little privacy, however, as he was ‘‘clearly visible to passing foot traffic’’ and he continued until police arrived.

He claimed he was following the instructions of a man who had hired him for sexual services but Judge Kevin Phillips dismissed that as ‘‘a fanciful excuse’’.

More than seven months later, YardleyJones went into a Lower Hutt liquor store where he concealed a bottle of gin in his jacket and walked out after pay ing for a bottle of beer.

Mr Laws said his client was ‘‘not entirely sure’’ of the impact the convictions would have on his employment in nursing.

‘‘There may be some professional consequences,’’ he said.

‘‘He’s earned that,’’ Judge Phillips said.

YardleyJones had no previous convictions for similar behaviour, the judge noted.

He was sentenced to 120 hours’ community work and ordered to pay $50 for the gin.