Man convicted of lewd acts on walking tracks

A Englishman was granted interim name suppression when he appeared in Queenstown District Court this morning in connection with lewd acts committed on public Queenstown walking tracks. Photo / File

A Englishman has been convicted of masturbating in public on Queenstown walking tracks.

The man, in his 20s, was granted interim name suppression when he appeared in Queenstown District Court this morning.

He admitted one representative charge of committing an indecent act in public between January 30 and April 2.

Five female victims had seen the man with his hand in his clothing, masturbating. He did not expose his genitals though.

The incidents caused widespread alarm in the resort through February and March, with Queenstown police warning people about walking alone and also increasing patrols.

The summary of facts, which was not read out in court, states the man fully admitted his actions when spoken to by police.

"In explanation [he] stated that he does not know why he has been committing these acts and that he has something wrong with him that cannot be fixed," the summary reads.

"He also stated that he did not mean to frighten the women involved and was remorseful for causing any emotional harm.''

The man was originally charged with eight separate counts of committing an indecent act in a place to which the public have access.

But they were amended to one representative charge covering Matakauri Walking Track and Queenstown Hill Walking Track between January 30 and April 2.

He was remanded on bail for sentence on July 10. Judge Mark Callaghan ordered pre-sentence reports.