HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC — A member of the Bermuda national rugby team who streaked naked across a popular beach while drunk after losing a bet has received a ticking-off from the island’s top magistrate.
Tom Moroney, a 31-year-old Englishman who has also been involved in coaching the island’s Under-19 rugby team, was full of remorse when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner on Monday, pleading guilty to indecent exposure last Thursday on the first day of a two-day national holiday.
Warner told Moroney the maximum penalty for the offence is 12 months in jail but gave him a conditional discharge.
Prosecutor Garrett Byrne told Magistrates’ Court Moroney was seen streaking across crowded Somerset Long Bay beach into the water with a drink in one hand and his private parts in the other.
He then swam to a boat offshore and was later arrested in Dockyard.
The court heard that Moroney had been drinking heavily with friends and committed the offence after losing a bet.
Moroney’s defence lawyer, Peter Farge, said: “He pleaded guilty to the offence at the first opportunity.”
He said the defendant had been working in Bermuda as an account manager for the last three and a half years and had no previous convictions.
Moroney said: “I am extremely embarrassed and remorseful. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I feel sick to my stomach.
“I feel like I’ve let down my family, my friends, and the people of Bermuda.
“I would happily write letters to all those offended and do community service.”
Warner told him: “This was a selfish act of an individual who lost a bet — an extremely stupid thing to do.”
Added Warner: “Mr Moroney works and contributes to this community.
“A criminal conviction would adversely affect his job opportunities here. However, this type of behaviour should be discouraged.
“This is different to a case where someone is engaging in sex type acts.
“This was simple drunkenness. There is no doubt he realises his stupidity.
“This was a public park and people should be able to enjoy that without seeing such things.”
