Dorset man becomes first convicted of upskirting since law changes

DORSET MAN BECOMES FIRST CONVICTED OF UPSKIRTING SINCE LAW CHANGES

A MAN who committed an upskirting offence at Primark in Poole has become the first person in Dorset to be convicted of the specific law against voyeurism.

Craig Nicholas Herd, aged 35, was placed on the sex offenders register for five years by magistrates.

Herd was charged with a voyeurism offence in relation to an incident at Primark in the Dolphin Centre Shopping Centre on September 28, 2019.

The charge to which Herd admitted was brought under section 67 of the Sexual Offence Act.

This crime was carried out just five months after the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which amended the sexual offences act, came into force.

Since April 2019, a specific criminal provision relating to upskirting has been in place.

The defendant, of Weatherbury Way, Dorchester, recorded an image beneath a woman's skirt using a mobile phone with the intent that he or another person would view the image for sexual gratification.

Herd appeared in the dock at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 22, and indicated a guilty plea to the single charge.

The magistrates issued a 12-month community order, requiring Herd to complete 30 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Herd must also register with police for five years in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act.

Tim Cole, CPS Wessex senior district crown prosecutor, stated that this was the first prosecution of its kind in Dorset since upskirting offences were introduced in 2019 and assured that prosecutors will use this legislation to bring offenders to justice.