ZENON WHEELER

EXETER MAN JAILED FOR TIGHTS FETISH HARASSMENT AND PREVIOUS SEX OFFENCES

A convicted sex offender with a persistent obsession for women in tights has been sentenced to prison for his repeated harassment of female shop workers in Exeter.

Zenon Wheeler, aged 48, of Topsham Road, committed a series of offensive behaviors including inappropriate comments, clandestine filming, and approaching women at their homes.

He was convicted of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by entering a shop multiple times, telling a worker he liked her attire, and secretly filming her.

Wheeler also contacted another woman about tights and visited her home, asking if she worked alone and if only women could be there.

The court heard Wheeler had a history of sexual offending, previously assaulting a beautician who managed to call for help while he watched her for days, revealing his fixation with tights.

Recently, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a beautician and banned from approaching women.

He admitted to three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with a judge describing him as a dangerous individual whose obsession was not likely to diminish.

The judge stated Wheeler's actions were driven by his own sexual gratification, making him a clear risk to women.

Police will seek to extend his banning order to prevent him from entering specific shops, with further penalties possible upon further breaches.