A Chelmsford man has been convicted of outraging public decency after using a concealed camera to take indecent images of unsuspecting schoolgirls.
John Chambers, 56, of Chapel Drive, Little Waltham, admitted two charges of outraging public decency when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 16th October 2019.
Outraging public decency is triable either way and has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction; an unlimited (theoretically) period in custody and/or an fine at level 5 (unlimited) on conviction on indictment.
District Judge Jeremy Batchelor heard that in April this year Chambers was observed in Chelmsford city centre "going from shop to shop" and "targeting 13 to 15 year old girls". He was carrying a rucksack, in which there was a concealed camera.
CCTV footage showed Chambers taking images of girls wearing skirts in Superdrug, HMV, Top Shop and Boots, before looking in the rucksack to check his footage.
Chambers also attempted to make off from security staff when challenged about his behaviour.
In mitigation Chambers denied deliberately targeting young girls, saying that he would equally have taken images of any adult women in the area.
Sentencing, Judge Batchelor said: "We understand that you were targeting young girls between the ages of 13 and 15, young girls in school uniform.
"You set out to do this. We don't accept your justification that you would have done this to adult females.
"The footage shows adults in the area so we don't accept your explanation that you were not targeting young girls in school uniform.
"On this occasion, your activities were prolonged. You went from shop to shop. When challenged by security officers you attempted to make off."
Chambers was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months, with the requirement that he does up to 30 days rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
Although giving only brief details of Chambers' offences, the Essex Chronicle website notes that they took place prior to the enactment of the Voyeurism (Offences) At 2019 which is designed to punish the degrading practise of upskirting.
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