Paul James Augustson cops fine after exposing himself and inappropriately touching a good Samaritan

A Dalyellup man has received a hefty fine after exposing himself and inappropriately touching a good Samaritan who was attempting to help the man home in his drunken state. Paul James Augustson, 51, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Monday for a trial over the indecent and unlawful assault but instead informed the court of his change of plea and was sentenced for the incident. In the late hours of November 13, 2021, the victim was driving along Ocean Drive when he noticed Augustson laying on the ground in the Mangles Street carpark and pulled over to ask if he was OK. Augustson got into the victim’s car where the pair engaged in a brief conversation. Augustson soon began touching his genitals, over his pants, before putting his hand inside his pants and touching the victim on his inner thigh and genitals, over his clothing. Despite the victim asking him to stop, the man proceeded to touch the victim for about 20 seconds before the victim grabbed his hand and asked him to leave the vehicle. Once outside the car, Augustson exposed himself to the man, asking: “Do you want to see my penis?” The victim closed the car door and drove away. When interviewed by police, Augustson told officers that he “couldn’t recall” the incident because he was so drunk. It was submitted to the court the man’s level of intoxication was due to a weekly “date night” with his partner. Magistrate Joanne Andretich handed down a $3000 fine, to be paid to the victim, saying she hoped it would serve as a general deterrence for the community.