Upskirter recorded videos of girls in Bournemouth Co-op shop

Graham Martin John Smith, 62, was caught upskirting after his basket touched one of the girl’s legs as he went to place it on the ground.

After the victim became alert to what had happened, the 62-year-old paid for his shopping, left the Co-op store in Belle Vue Road, Southbourne and drove off in his van However, the registration plate was traced by police. Officers went to his home address and arrested him.

In interview he made full admissions and told police it was not the first time he had recorded up the skirts of females.

Poole Magistrates’ Court heard Smith, of Gardner Road, Christchurch, said he would go to the cliff top to watch the videos for his own sexual gratification while having a cigarette.

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Graham Martin John Smith leaving Poole Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

Prosecuting, Siobhan Oxley said the defendant entered the Co-op store in December last year and he placed his mobile phone and wallet into a basket.

Ms Oxley said Smith placed the basket on the ground underneath a girl as she selected an item of food from the shelf.

The defendant, who “lingered” behind the girl, went on to place the basket underneath the skirt of another complainant in similar fashion.

As Smith went to place the basket down again he “collided” with one of the girls’ legs. Ms Oxley said the girl realised there was a camera in the basket.

“He then walks way to pay for his goods, leaves the store and drives away in his silver Vauxhall van,” the prosecutor said.

The vehicle’s registration plate was identified and police went to the defendant’s home.

The Co-op store in Belle Vue Road, Southbourne (Image: Newsquest)

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Upon arrest, he was taken to Bournemouth Police Station and he made full admissions.

A statement from one of the girls said she “clearly saw an Android phone with a camera facing up”.

Ms Oxley said she felt “alarmed and distressed” by what had happened.

Smith told officers this was not the first time he had acted in such a way.

He admitted his behaviour was suspicious and he was obtaining the footage for his own sexual gratification, the court heard.

Smith pleaded guilty to a single charge of recording an image under clothing to observe without consent at the hearing on October 12.

David Hurley, representing Smith, said the judge clearly would need a report from the probation service.

He said his client was a 62-year-old man of previous good character with no previous convictions.

Deputy District Judge Julia Moffatt described the defendant’s behaviour as “quite worrying”.

She adjourned the case until November 10 for reports to be prepared, but with “all sentencing options being open”. The defendant was remanded on bail.

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