ANDREW SMOGGIE FROM LATCHFORD CAUGHT TAKING OVER 1700 PHOTOS OF WOMEN IN MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, 52-year-old Andrew Smoggie, also known as Mackie, from Latchford, Warrington, has been sentenced to prison after a series of invasive and illegal acts involving the photographing of women in public spaces across Manchester and Liverpool. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about privacy violations and the challenges faced by authorities in curbing repeat offenders with extensive criminal histories.

Smoggie’s actions came to light after police investigations revealed that he had taken more than 1,700 photographs of women’s bottoms while walking through busy city centers. His victims ranged widely in age, from young girls as young as 13 to elderly women aged up to 70. Despite the fact that taking photographs in public places is generally legal, Smoggie’s history of sexual offences and the conditions of his legal restrictions made his behavior particularly troubling and illegal under the terms of his existing court orders.

According to court proceedings, Smoggie had previously been subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), which was imposed on October 22, 2021. This order explicitly prohibited him from using any mobile device to capture images of women he did not know in public. Despite this, on August 27 of the previous year, Smoggie was observed by plainclothes police officers in Manchester city center during Pride weekend. The officers noticed him taking multiple photographs of women walking past, focusing specifically on their bottoms. Unaware of his actions, the women had no idea they were being photographed.

The officers approached Smoggie after becoming suspicious of his behavior. When questioned, he initially claimed that taking photos in public was not illegal. However, he complied with their request to hand over his phone. A subsequent examination of his device revealed numerous images of women from behind, with a particular focus on their bottoms. The images included women of various ages, with most between 18 and 25, but also some as young as 13 or 14, and older women aged between 60 and 70. Smoggie was found to possess two mobile phones, one of which contained 348 images taken on that very day, August 27. The second phone held over 1,400 similar photographs taken in public places across Liverpool and Manchester.

During police interviews, Smoggie acknowledged understanding the restrictions imposed by his SHPO but expressed frustration, claiming that the order had “set him up to fail” because he believed it was “not illegal to take photos in public.” He insisted that his intent was not sexual gratification, although he admitted to breaching the order by taking the photographs. He also confirmed that he had the phones specifically for the purpose of taking pictures, which was a clear violation of his legal restrictions.

It was clarified during the court proceedings that the images did not include indecent content such as upskirting, for which Smoggie has a previous conviction. However, his past behavior and the sheer volume of photographs taken in violation of his court orders raised serious concerns. The case was not his first; in October 2021, Smoggie was given a suspended 24-week prison sentence after being caught at Manchester Piccadilly train station taking pictures of a woman’s legs, crotch, and upskirt. Despite this prior conviction, he continued to breach the terms of his SHPO.

Prosecutor Katherine Wright detailed Smoggie’s extensive criminal record, which includes 27 previous convictions for 36 offences. Among these are six sexual offences, including one for indecent assault, four for voyeurism, and one for upskirting. Additionally, he has breached his SHPO on 11 separate occasions. His repeated violations demonstrate a troubling pattern of behavior that authorities have struggled to contain.

In light of these violations, the court sentenced Smoggie to two years and four months in prison. The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the two mobile phones seized during the investigation. The indefinite sexual harm prevention order remains in effect, continuing to restrict Smoggie’s activities and aiming to prevent further violations. The case underscores the importance of strict legal measures and vigilant enforcement to protect individuals from invasive and potentially harmful conduct by repeat offenders like Smoggie.