Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:00 pm
Toilet pranksters face charges
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
© The Cairns Post
PRANKSTERS who smeared glue on a Cairns Central public toilet seat will face assault charges after a man became stuck there, police say.
Ronald Goodall, who moved to Cairns seven weeks ago, yesterday told how had to be rescued from a toilet in Cairns Central and taken to hospital after sitting down on a strong, fast-acting glue that thoughtless pranksters had smeared on the seat.
Cairns man glued to toilet seat
Mr Goodall, who is 57 and not 70 as first reported, told The Cairns Post the incident was devastating.
"I have never been so humiliated in all my life," he said.
"I sat there for about 10 minutes trying to work out what to do but I had no choice."
Victim tells of humiliation
Mr Goodall, who goes to Cairns Central every morning for a coffee, said he went to the toilet "as a matter of urgency" after suffering a stomach upset.
He said he had not been wearing his glasses at the time.
He returned to Cairns Central after he was released from hospital, but said he was disappointed at the "who cares" attitude of centre management.
Tell us what you think. Do you think shopping centres need to improve security? Vote in our online poll.
When contacted yesterday, centre manager Derek Ariss said he had not spoken to Mr Goodall or the police, but said he planned to contact both.
"From our point of view we are taking it pretty seriously. We are doing all we can to make sure that doesn’t occur again," Mr Ariss said.
The story attracted strong interest on cairns.com.au with readers from Australia and overseas expressing their disgust at the prank.
Cairns police Sen-Constable Russell Parker said police were investigating the "stupid act" and said if caught, those responsible would face serious charges.
"This is an assault occasioning bodily harm. Even though they weren't present they have caused that person to become injured so certainly they would face charges," he said.
Anyone with information should contact police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/0 ... -news.html
---------------------------------------------
QUEENSLANDER!