Repulsive pool pooper sorry for wearing 'skimpy bathers' in public

Warning: This story may disturb some readers.

Deane Richard Roach’s disgusting behaviour, from defecating in a pool and urinating in a supermarket to exposing himself to children, has seen him locked up until at least next year.

On Wednesday (4 August), 44-year-old Roach was sentenced in the ACT Magistrates Court to two years’ jail after Magistrate Louise Taylor told him his conduct was of the type that “offends and repulses the community”.

“It is conduct the community must be protected from,” she said.

She said Roach, who exposed himself to numerous victims at pools, had expressed some remorse for what he said was “swimming in skimpy bathers”.

But she said his remorse lacked insight and didn’t reflect his entire crime spree.

While Roach committed a range of crimes, between the nauseating and the vicious, he gained particular infamy for defiling Kambah’s Aqua Harmony pool on 15 July 2020.

Last month, the court had been told that after he defecated in the pool, he got out of the water and told staff: “You might want to clean that up.”

Among other offending from 2020, detailed in court documents, is when Roach exposed himself at the Australian National University on 14 June by standing naked in a pool in front of a 17-year-old girl.

As she swam towards him, she saw he was standing in her lane in “a proud stance” with his legs apart and she could see his genitals, which she said made her want to vomit.

On 5 September, Roach urinated on the floor during a busy day at Coles at South.Point Shopping Centre while in front of several children.

He also exposed his genitals to a patron at the Stromlo Leisure Centre’s pool on 7 September and two 10-year-old children at the pool on 11 September.

Magistrate Taylor said when Roach exposed himself to his multiple victims, his conduct was “blatant” and “deliberate”.

She said he had a “disgusting disregard” for the effect defecating in the pool would have on other pool users and that the pool had to be closed for decontamination following the incident.

She also said he verbally abused a woman after she told him his behaviour was unacceptable, making comments to her like, “I’m going to put you right”.

Magistrate Taylor said a pre-sentencing report showed the disability pensioner regularly went to church, studied at the Canberra Institute of Technology and was now abstinent from alcohol and cannabis.

A psychologist said substances appeared to be the primary motivator behind his offending and that when he was drinking alcohol he had little control over his behaviour.

Magistrate Taylor accepted alcohol had played a role in his crimes, but she believed he was capable of rehabilitation, despite the number of offences.

Roach pleaded guilty to 12 charges, including stalking, indecent exposure, damaging property and committing an act of indecency without consent.

He has remained in jail since 19 January 2021 over these charges. His 14-month non-parole period means he is eligible to be released from custody in March 2022. He was also fined almost $10,500.