Monday 23 August 2021

Visitor Banged Up For 'Upskirting'

An Israeli tourist has been locked-up less than 24 hours after being caught 'upskirting' a female commuter on an underground station escalator.

Martin Stone, 62, was caught by a plain clothed British Transport Police officer at Bank station in the City.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court he pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and was sentenced to ten days imprisonment.

The court also ordered that all SIM and memory cards from his phones and cameras were destroyed.

At 11.30am on Wednesday August 4, Stone was spotted recording a woman while standing behind her on an escalator.

The officer followed him out of the station and found him watching footage of the woman’s legs and skirt on his phone.

He was arrested at the scene and remanded in custody overnight, before appearing in court the next day.

Upon arrest, officers seized from Stone two mobile phones, a spy camera pen, two oyster cards and one camera.

CCTV footage from Bank also showed Stone following the victim around the station.

Stone admitted he covered the flash on his phone with Sellotape to avoid detection while he was recording the victim unknowingly, but declined to answer if he received any sexual gratification from his behaviour.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah White said: “Stone’s vile predatory behaviour is evident from his targeted actions and specialist equipment.

Upskirting is a sickening invasion of privacy and this result sends a clear message on how quickly we will act against this disgusting form of sexual offending.

We have plain clothes officers conducting patrols like this every day across network. 

Our officers are on the network looking out for you, whether you see them or not, and we will take action.

I would urge anyone who is a victim of upskirting, or any other sexual offence, to text us discreetly on 61016 or call 999 in an emergency. 

No report is too small or too trivial, we will always take you seriously.”

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