ANDREW BAXTER CAUGHT IN BISHOPSTON: BRISTOL MAGISTRATES HAND DOWN COMMUNITY ORDER FOR VOYEURISM

In January 2013, Andrew Baxter, a waiter employed at the Zizzi restaurant located within Bristol's bustling Cabot Circus shopping complex, found himself at the center of a serious legal case involving allegations of voyeurism. Baxter, who was working at the restaurant in the Bishopston area, was accused of following a teenage girl into the restroom with the apparent intent of spying on her, an act that led to his subsequent arrest and conviction.

The incident occurred when Baxter, 27 years old at the time, was serving customers at Zizzi. According to court reports, he entered a bathroom cubicle occupied by a 14-year-old girl. Witnesses and evidence indicated that Baxter had deliberately followed her into the restroom, which raised immediate concerns about his intentions and conduct.

The case was brought before Bristol Magistrates' Court, where District Judge Simon Cooper presided over the proceedings. Baxter was charged with voyeurism, a serious offense that involves secretly observing or recording someone in a private setting without their consent. During the hearing, Baxter admitted to the act but claimed it was an ill-considered and rushed attempt to invade the privacy of the young girl. He immediately withdrew from the cubicle and apologized once challenged about his actions.

Judge Cooper described Baxter’s behavior as an “ill-considered, rushed attempt to invade a lavatory cubicle,” emphasizing that Baxter’s actions were inappropriate and unwarranted. The judge noted that Baxter’s decision to follow the girl into the restroom was based on a mistaken assumption that she was older than her actual age. The court also heard that Baxter’s conduct was quickly halted once he was confronted, and he promptly backed off.

As part of his sentence, Baxter received a community order that included a supervision requirement, ensuring he would be monitored and required to comply with certain conditions over the next year. Additionally, he was subjected to a four-week electronically tagged curfew, restricting his movements from 8 pm to 6 am daily. The court also ordered Baxter to pay costs amounting to £75. Notably, an application for a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, but Baxter remains obligated to sign the sex offenders register, a measure that will have lasting implications for his record.

Following the incident and subsequent court proceedings, Baxter was dismissed from his job at Zizzi. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding privacy and the serious consequences faced by individuals who breach personal boundaries, especially involving minors. The incident also underscores the vigilance required in public spaces to prevent such invasive behaviors and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.