GORDON EVES FROM WALLASEY SENTENCED FOR UP SKIRT FILMING AT LIVERPOOL ONE

In April 2014, a disturbing incident involving Gordon Eves, a resident of Wallasey, unfolded at Liverpool One shopping centre, capturing public attention and prompting legal action. Eves, aged 59 and residing on Winchester Drive in Wallasey, was found guilty of committing an act that outraged common decency, specifically for filming up a 16-year-old girl’s skirt without her knowledge.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 7, last year, Eves was observed following a group of three girls aged between 14 and 16 within the busy Liverpool One shopping complex. The situation escalated when one of the girls noticed Eves discreetly retrieving a small black camera from his pocket. He then activated the device and directed it upwards, capturing images beneath the white summer dress of one of the young victims. This act of voyeurism was witnessed by the girl, who was understandably shocked and distressed by what she saw.

According to the prosecution, led by Lionel Cope, the girl immediately confronted Eves, questioning whether he had just taken pictures up her skirt. Eves appeared visibly shocked by her confrontation. The girl, feeling violated and upset, reported the incident to the authorities. Police were promptly called, and Eves was arrested at the scene.

Further investigation revealed that the camera contained 48 video recordings, each lasting between 20 to 30 seconds. These recordings included footage of girls’ legs, escalators, and other parts of their bodies, all taken without their consent. The footage clearly demonstrated Eves’s inappropriate and illegal behavior.

During police interviews, Eves expressed deep shame for his actions. He apologized for the distress caused to the girl and her family, admitting that he was too ashamed to articulate his feelings fully. When asked about his thought process at the time, he acknowledged that it was not a correct one, indicating awareness of the wrongdoing.

His defense lawyer, Paula Lloyd, highlighted that Eves, who is employed at Asda, made full and frank admissions during police questioning. She revealed that Eves had been engaging in similar behavior over several weeks and had previously done the same in London. Lloyd stated that Eves admitted to deriving sexual gratification from these acts, clarifying that he was not specifically targeting teenagers but was attracted to females in short skirts.

In terms of his personal circumstances, Lloyd noted that Eves is a father of one, previously married, but now living alone. He maintains limited contact with his daughter and cares for his 89-year-old mother. She expressed concern that Eves was terrified of custodial sentences due to the potential impact on his elderly mother.

After considering the evidence and Eves’s remorse, the magistrates decided against applying for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. They acknowledged that the severity of the offense warranted a custodial sentence but ultimately opted for a community-based punishment. Eves was sentenced to three years of community service, which includes a rehabilitation program aimed at increasing his awareness of the inappropriateness of his actions.

Additionally, Eves was ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £60, reflecting the court’s recognition of the harm caused by his misconduct.