Inside the night at the museum: How a poker-playing German student, 25, stole an Akubra, took selfies with dinosaur bones and climbed scaffolding during an illegal tour of the Australian Museum
- Paul Kuhn, 25, broke into the Australian Museum during a night out on May 10
- Kuhn was fuelled by alcohol when he climbed the scaffolding into the building
- He has been given a 12-month Community Corrections Order and fined $500
A German student who went on an illegal self-guided tour of the Australian Museum has blamed alcohol for the bizarre break-in.
Paul Kuhn, 25, has been given a 12-month Community Corrections Order and a $500 fine for his late-night break-in at the museum in central Sydney on May 10.
A court has heard how Kuhn was fuelled by booze when he decided to climb the scaffolding into the building, entering through a fire escape door at 1.10am.
German student Paul Kuhn (pictured) is accused of breaking into the Australian Museum in Sydney on May 10
Police claim he walked through multiple levels and taking selfies with exhibits (pictured, the intruder taking a selfie with the skull of a Tyrannosaurus-Rex)
The international student wandered through various levels of the building, which is currently under renovation – taking selfies with multiple exhibits.
At one point he stuck his his head inside a dinosaur skull to take a selfie. When he finally left the museum he stole a framed painting and an Akubra hat.
Ahead of sentencing in Downing Centre Local Court, lawyer Kuhn’s lawyer Steven Mercael said his client had no intention to cause harm or steal any valuable items.
He said escapades were fuelled by alcohol.
He also claimed his client had gone into the museum as his client had unable to find a way down after climbing the scaffolding.
The man was caught on CCTV taking a cowboy hat from a hat stand before putting it on his head (pictured) on May 10
He said his client has since called the museum to apologise.
Kuhn has been in Australia for more than two years and hopes to stay longer, he said.
Magistrate Jennifer Price said the need to protect the community and its assets was paramount.
Despite Kuan’s ‘general good character and lack of criminal record’ a convcition was recorder to deter others some committing similar crimes, she said.
Paul Kuhn (pictured) was granted bail and will next appear in court on June 1, charged with breaking and entering after an incident on May 10
Paul Kuhn (pictured) claims to be a ‘hustler’ who ‘doesn’t need to work’, and has lived in Australia for two years