PAUL MOUNTAIN FROM FARNWORTH JAILED FOR UPSKIRT CAMERAS IN ACCRINGTON AND BURGLARY

In September 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Paul Mountain, a man with a troubling criminal history, who was found to have used covert filming devices to invade the privacy of innocent individuals in the town of Accrington. Mountain, aged 46 and previously convicted 62 times, employed a small, hidden 'shoe camera' to secretly record schoolgirls in public spaces, capturing footage of their underwear and lower bodies as they went about their day. This invasive behavior was part of a series of voyeuristic acts that shocked the local community and drew the attention of law enforcement authorities.

Further investigations revealed that Mountain had also installed a camera in a private bathroom, where he recorded a woman using the toilet. The victim, who was unaware of his presence, expressed her disgust and fear upon learning that she had been secretly filmed. She also voiced concern for other potential victims who might have been recorded without their consent. The identities of the schoolgirls involved in the footage remain unknown, but the impact on their privacy and sense of security is profound.

Prior to these incidents, Mountain had been in a vulnerable situation in 2019, when he was placed on an electronic tag following a burglary conviction. During this period, a couple in Darwen offered him temporary accommodation, believing they were helping someone in need. However, suspicion grew when they discovered that Mountain was exploiting their trust. They examined his laptop and uncovered three videos that revealed his disturbing activities: filming schoolgirls from beneath their skirts as they walked through streets and entered shops, and recording in their bathroom. One of these videos showed Mountain hiding a camera in their own bathroom to record a visitor using the toilet.

Rather than reporting these findings immediately, the couple delayed, but the evidence was eventually discovered by the woman's brother and the landlord, who had gone to the property to clear out belongings after the couple had left. Mountain, now residing on Trentham Avenue in Farnworth, was subsequently arrested. Initially, he denied any involvement in the creation of the videos, claiming he had found the laptop discarded in a skip. He also attempted to shift blame onto his hosts, suggesting that they had set up the bathroom camera to catch a supposed thief, which he claimed was his motive.

Prosecutor Charles Brown highlighted the gravity of Mountain’s actions, stating, “This man had been given these lodgings so he could have a fixed address while he was on a tag, and this is how he repaid his hosts.” Evidence of his ongoing predilection for voyeurism was found in his internet browsing history, which included searches for “teen upskirt in public,” indicating a persistent interest in such illicit material. The woman who had offered him shelter was also able to identify his hand from some of the videos, further linking him to the crimes.

During sentencing, Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC condemned Mountain’s long-standing interest in voyeuristic activities and his failure to comply with court orders. He emphasized that Mountain’s criminal behavior demonstrated a pattern of disregard for the law and the privacy of others. The court sentenced him to 13 and a half months in prison for making indecent images and an additional four and a half months for voyeurism. Additionally, he was fined a nominal sum of £1 for breaching a suspended sentence that was in effect at the time of the offenses. The case underscores the ongoing issues of privacy invasion and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions in the community of Farnworth and beyond.