A 60-year-old man has been ordered to undertake a community order after exposing himself to children and teenagers at the Mandurah Forum shopping centre on two separate occasions.
Peter John Karow, who works in the farming industry, pleaded guilty to four charges of acting indecently in public, when he appeared in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police prosecutor Emma Houghton told the court Karow entered the Forum public toilets on March 2, about 2.15pm, before leaving the toilets, about 2.28pm with his fly open and the top "two to three inches" of his penis exposed, with a shirt covering.
I can only assume you got some kind of thrill out of it.
- Magistrate Anne Longden
She said Karow walked past a group of girls, one as young as 17 years old, and raised his t-shirt, while facing them.
He continued walking around the shopping centre before lifting his shirt to two other women, before turning around to look back at them.
Senior Constable Houghton said at 2.45pm, Karow was detained at City Beach, with his fly still open and penis still exposed.
She said Karow told authorities he had been scratching his body.
About five months later, on October 7, Karow reentered the Forum at 10.30am before approaching two young girls, one was 15 years old, and lifting his shirt to expose himself.
The incident was captured on CCTV.
Karow's laywer Shirley Casey said Karow understood the incidents were "highly inappropriate", but he was under increased stress after having an argument with his partner.
"He is mortified," she said.
Ms Casey said it was "excessive" if Karow's name was to be listed on the sex offender's register.
She said he will see a clinical psychologist to address issues and had no prior offending history.
Magistrate Anne Longden told the court she accepted Karow was ashamed, "and so you should be".
"I can only assume you got some kind of thrill out of it," she said.
Karow was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with supervision requirements.
An application for a spent conviction, made on behalf of Karow, was refused.