WILLIAM GARDNER

A MAN who was caught using his mobile phone to take dozens of pictures up women's skirts in the St James' Centre has been put on the sex offenders register for three years.

At the city's Sheriff Court today 36-year old William Gardner was also placed on probation for three years.

Gardner had pled guilty previously to committing a breach of the peace in the centre and elsewhere in the city by acting in a disorderly manner and using his mobile phone to take indecent pictures of females on 31 July last year.

After his arrest it was found he had 40 pictures.

The court had previously heard how security guards became suspicious when they saw Gardner kneeling next to women with his mobile phone held at a low level.

A check on the phone showed that he had been taking pictures up women's skirts and shorts.

Later, when cautioned and charged by the police, Gardner of St Lawrence Crescent, Slamannan, Falkirk, replied: "I'm sorry".

Sentence had been deferred for background reports and Sheriff Colin McClory told Gardner: "I am a bit troubled for the reason you don't fully acknowledge the gravity of the offence and the effects on the victims".

He added: "I am persuaded, however, the best way to deal with this matter, in the public interest as well as your interest, is to follow the recommendations in the report and place you on probation for three years to allow the necessary work to be done to get you to realise the effects of this sort of conduct".

The Sheriff said a particular part of the probation order was that Gardner take part in the Sex Offenders Group Programme as directed by his supervising officer.