ABC News have reported on Tuesday that a man who was found adding hydrochloric acid to a lubricant dispenser at a gay/bisexual sex-on-premises venue in Sydney has not been sentenced to serve jail time.
In August this year, Hengky Irawan was caught in Aarows club in Sydney after he triggered an alarm on the lubricant dispenser while opening the seal. Reports say Mr Irawan had on his person a funnel, knife and a litre of the acid. He was charged by authorities for administering poison with the intent to cause injury, distress or pain.
Mr Irawan’s lawyer told Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday that the subject should be dealt with under the Mental Health Act, claiming the incident was an “irrational, uncharacteristic episode” with supporting submissions from a psychologist and general practitioner.
Nathan Blatch, the police prosecutor in this case, argued the attack was a “textbook example of motivation for hatred of people.”
“[Irawan] knows it to be a place where sexual intercourse takes place,” Mr Blatch said.
The presiding magistrate did not accept the defendant’s application, sentencing him to a good behaviour bond of two years and recommending Mr Irawan accept proposed treatments from his doctor.
Magistrate Beverly Schurr was not convinced the crime was motivated by hate, “not about their sexual orientation… angry about being excluded himself.”
OIP Staff
