A MAN who streaked at Optus Stadium in Perth during a cricket match has been labelled a “show pony”, fined $2000 and granted a spent conviction.
Ben Jenkins, 23, was “egged on” by his mates when he removed his clothes and ran onto the oval in front of almost 54,000 people on January 28 during Australia’s innings against England in a one day international.
He disrupted the match for about two minutes before security wrapped him in a blanket and took him away, Perth Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.
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READ NOWJenkins had earlier discussed with friends the idea of becoming the first person to streak at the new stadium.
People in the public gallery sniggered as the facts were read to the court.
Jenkins, who is a talented footballer and has his own plumbing business in Toodyay, pleaded guilty to one count of trespassing.
His lawyer said Jenkins had not been drinking at the time and had received a hate letter following the incident.
Magistrate Edward De Vries asked Jenkins if he was going to “grow up”, describing him as a “show pony”.
“People are sick of exhibitionists like you,” he said.
Jenkins did not comment to reporters as he left court.
Many people at the stadium filmed the incident, with some cheering for Jenkins and booing when he was led away, but others called him an “idiot” for disrupting the match.
– AAP
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