Man covertly filmed naked man showering at Dorset caravan park

Leandro Carvalho Pinto, 43, claimed he was caught short while out cycling and stopped at the caravan park in Lytchett Minster, Dorset, to use the toilet.

But instead he held his mobile phone over the top of a shower cubicle where a guest at the site was washing himself.

The man spotted the camera phone and realised he was being filmed. He shouted at Pinto who fled the block and tried to delete the video.

The manager of the site intervened to stop Pinto and called police.

He admitted an offence of voyeurism at Poole Magistrates' Court in relation to the incident, which took place in August 2020.

Leandro Carvalho Pinto outside Poole Magistrates' Court. Picture: BNPS

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Shami Duggal, prosecuting, said: "The victim stated he had been staying at the location with friends.

"Whilst in the cubicle washing himself, he saw a mobile phone over the top of the cubicle and what he believed to be a recording light.

"He shouted and followed the defendant out. He said he was trying to record his friend and tried to delete the recordings on his phone.

"The victim tried to take the phone from him, at this point the manager of the caravan site became involved, separated the parties and called the police."

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The court heard Pinto is married with two children, but had realised a number of years ago he was attracted to men.

Miss Duggal added: "He told his wife but they decided to keep the marriage going.

"He told police he went out cycling and stopped at the caravan park to use the toilets. He admitted using his phone to film the victim. He said he never intended to cause anyone any harm and did not realise his behaviour was illegal."

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Todd Twine, defending Pinto, said: "He is remorseful for his actions. He knows he has an issue and is taking steps himself to address that."

Pinto, a design engineer, of Birch Close, Corfe Mullen, had no previous convictions.

Magistrates gave him a two-year community order, with conditions to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and up to 49 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also ordered to sign on to the sex offenders' register for five years and pay £50 compensation to the victim, who cannot be named, and £180 costs.

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