Anthony Albert Driver, 39, was granted bail in the ACT Courts on Friday. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A man is accused of committing “a bizarre reign of terror” by allegedly exposing himself in front of up to 100 people in Civic, including children.
It is alleged 39-year-old Anthony Albert Driver’s concerning behaviour began on Thursday afternoon (10 July) when he went into the foyer of the Crowne Plaza Canberra, exposed himself and began interacting with people in the hotel before being escorted out of the lobby.
Soon after, he allegedly went into the hotel’s car park and took off all his clothes before aggressively engaging with people, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
He allegedly left the car park while still naked and abused a member of the public while walking away.
Later that evening, police were watching a protest at the National Convention Centre when Driver allegedly tried to enter the rear of a marked caged police vehicle as well as the convention centre building.
He was taken into custody and police later confirmed he was the man sought in relation to the earlier alleged incidents.
The Belconnen man faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (11 July) where he was charged with two counts of indecent exposure, offensive behaviour in public and common assault, as well as single counts of affray and damaging property.
The court heard the assault charges related to a man and a woman.
Prosecutor Jack Hill opposed him being granted bail, claiming he engaged in “a bizarre reign of terror” and exposed members of the public to his “disgusting behaviour”.
The prosecutor alleged Driver exposed himself to between 50 and 100 people, including children.
Mr Hill said a woman locked her daughter in her car to protect her from Driver, while he stole from a different woman who was also with her child.
Defence lawyer Brandon Bodel of Legal Aid said his client was not suffering from an acute mental illness.
But he also said the allegations were “not behaviour that is normal” and it was “clearly a mental health/drug incident”.
Mr Bodel said his client admitted consuming substances and was extremely embarrassed by the allegations.
“It’s got all the hallmarks of a florid mental health breakdown,” Special Magistrate Sean Richter said.
He said he would grant bail with conditions including Driver be supervised by authorities, engage with Access Mental Health, not be within 100 metres of Crowne Plaza nor go into Civic unless directed.
The special magistrate also ordered a forensic mental health report.
The matter was adjourned to 4 August. No pleas were entered.
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