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New Zealand streaker jailed

Sydney - A man who disrupted the final game of the State of Origin rugby league series in Australia by running naked onto the field for a dare was jailed for three months on Thursday.

VIDEO: Watch Wati Holmwood streak...

New Zealander Wati Holmwood was sentenced for streaking in front of 83 000 stadium fans and a television audience of 4.2 million during the final moments of July's Origin decider in Sydney.

His lawyers argued for a non-custodial or suspended sentence but magistrate Christopher Longley imposed a jail term for the flasher, who also streaked during a club rugby game in 2011.

Holmwood, 33, pleaded guilty to entering a playing field without authorisation and willful and obscene exposure in public, in breach of two good behaviour bonds handed down for earlier offences.

In addition to the jail term Holmwood, described as being of "limited" intelligence in court, was fined A$2 000 (R18 800).

His solicitor Will Tuckey said Holmwood, who was released on bail, would appeal.

"This is a gentleman with complicated needs, he's had a great deal of media attention, he's been publicly humiliated," Tuckey told the court.

"It would be hard to find a person who was particularly offended on that night," he added.

"There's no evidence of anyone being traumatised by the action and there's no evidence of any ongoing harm."

 
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