A court has told a homeless man who smeared faeces on a Belconnen playground he should have used nearby McDonald's toilets or, in the ''worst-case scenario'', a bush.
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Kenneth Brooker, 62, was arrested on Tuesday night after defacing exercise equipment, children’s play equipment and park benches in John Knight Memorial Park over several nights.
Brooker has been homeless for more than two decades, sleepingrough near Lake Ginninderra.
About 11.15pm on Tuesday, Belconnen police officers found him acting suspiciously near the park's fitness area. Police discovered faeces and urine on a bench near the fitness equipment.
The court heard Brooker made full admissions to police and was charged and brought before Magistrate Peter Dingwall in the ACT Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Brooker, who has a drink-driving charge on his record, pleaded guilty and was put on a 12-month good-behaviour bond.
Mr Dingwall said the motive for Brooker's behaviour did not seem to make any sense, and he questioned whether mental-health issues should be explored.
He told Brooker he could have used a 24-hour McDonald's nearby or licensed venues with toilets.
''Worst-case scenario, you find a bush – you don't go smearing faeces on a children's playground,'' Mr Dingwall said.
Brooker was released and ordered to stay at Samaritan House on Wednesday night.
