BREXIT BARRISTER'S SHOCKING UPSKIRTING CONVICTION AND SIX-MONTH PRACTICE BAN
A senior barrister working for the UK government on Brexit, who was among the first individuals in the country convicted of ‘upskirting’, has been prohibited from practicing law for six months after completing his sentence.The Bar disciplinary tribunal revealed that Daren Timson-Hunt, 55, admitted to hiding his mobile phone under his right leg to record a video of a female passenger’s crotch while she sat next to him on a Northern Line train in the London Underground.
He continued filming up her dress as she ascended the stairs at Embankment station.
This act violated sections 67A(1) and (4) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
A plain-clothed police inspector confronted Mr.
Timson-Hunt shortly after 9:30 am on June 1, 2019.
He responded: “I do not know why I did it.
I have never done something like this before.
I am an idiot.” The tribunal heard that he admitted to the offense at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in September of the previous year.
He was sentenced to a 24-month community order that included a 35-day programme, 30 days of rehabilitation, and 60 hours of unpaid work.
Additionally, he was registered as a sex offender for five years.
At the time, Mr.
Timson-Hunt did not hold a practicing certificate and had been employed as head of the EU exit and goods legal team at the Department for International Trade until August of the previous year.
Following his conviction, he was dismissed from the Financial Conduct Authority, where he was due to start work soon.
The tribunal emphasized that his conduct demonstrated a lack of integrity and undermined public confidence in him and the legal profession.
During the tribunal, Mr.
Timson-Hunt claimed his actions were not premeditated, explaining that he could not change his route or behavior in such a crowded station.
He said that, when stopped by police, he immediately admitted to his wrongdoing and apologized to the victim.
He stated that he sat next to her because that was the only available seat, not by choice, and he did not intentionally follow her.
The police report indicated he waited at the stairs for her to walk ahead, but he argued that the crowd inhibited his actions.
The phone used to record the video was confiscated and later destroyed.
He cited family issues—his wife’s recovery from a serious illness and caring for their young daughter—as well as work stress, including working late hours and managing multiple responsibilities, as mitigating factors.
He expressed a desire to return to legal work once the community order expired in September 2021.
Mr.
Timson-Hunt had been receiving Job Seekers Allowance and then working in logistics, earning close to minimum wage.
He has completed his unpaid work and is working to fulfill the rehabilitation requirement, which was delayed by the pandemic.
The victim stated that the incident heavily affected her daily life, leading her to avoid wearing dresses or skirts and use public transport less often.
The tribunal acknowledged there were no aggravating factors and recognized the character references that praised him.
It ordered that Mr.
Timson-Hunt cannot obtain a practicing certificate for six months, and he must comply fully with his community order to be eligible to reapply.
He was also ordered to pay £1,200 in costs.
