He was seen ‘wandering around the store, making unusual movements with his right foot and placing it beneath women’s skirts’
A pensioner claimed to be “sexually frustrated” after he filmed up shoppers’ skirts by strapping a mobile phone to his shoe. Anthony Wickham had the device’s camera facing upwards as he manoeuvred himself close to his victims and recorded while following women around a shopping centre, clothing department and a supermarket.
Maidstone Crown Court heard that the extent of his behaviour came to light after one woman confronted the retired carpenter, 67, in a branch of Aldi, and a subsequent police media appeal led to two of Wickham’s former customers identifying him
His arrest led to the discovery of him having three sexually explicit photographs of youngsters aged seven to 14 and footage of an unknown woman using a toilet. Police also found he made numerous internet searches for pornography using terms such as “upskirt in supermarket”, “public nudity” and “no panties”, and had multiple links to “fly-on-the-wall and spy camera” websites, it was said.
Wickham, of Bearsted, admitted recording an image beneath clothing to observe another without consent, installing equipment with intent to enable himself to observe another doing a private act for sexual gratification, and possessing indecent images of children.
The court was told there was no evidence suggesting he had recorded the “hidden camera” toilet footage himself or was responsible for the abuse stills. The probation service prepared a report in which he described himself to the author as feeling “unhappy, isolated, lonely and sexually frustrated” during his 43-year marriage.
Judge Gareth Branston told the father of two – now separated from his wife – that he should rightfully feel “embarrassed and ashamed” for such “disgusting and violating” crimes. The court heard a woman was in the Aldi store with her son when the defendant positioned himself close to her.
Prosecutor Dominic Connolly said: “She describes how, as she turned round, she nearly bumped into the defendant, who apologised and walked away. She then noticed a mobile phone tied to his right foot with the camera facing up. She confronted him, asked him to show her and he produced a different phone.
“She asked for the phone he had on his foot, he refused and left the store.”
Mr Connolly then explained how a review of Aldi’s CCTV showed Wickham prior to being caught out “wandering around the store, making unusual movements with his right foot and placing it beneath women’s skirts”.
Images were circulated by Kent Police, resulting in a couple for whom Wickham had once worked for coming forward to give his phone number and business name. He was arrested in July that year and analysis of several devices seized from his home revealed evidence of his voyeurism and upskirting.
Mr Connolly said the material included 140 images of a woman using a toilet. There were also two videos, 10 and 20 minutes long, showing Wickham attaching his phone to his foot before walking around stores, “pausing on multiple occasions when standing close to females and recording beneath their clothing”.
The court heard that although the three child abuse images had been deleted, police were able to ascertain they depicted partially naked youngsters engaged in sexual acts with each other and adults alike. Wickham, who has no previous convictions, was interviewed twice by police and answered “No comment” on each occasion.
His Aldi victim told officers about the profound and lasting effect the incident has had on both herself and her son. In her impact statement read to the court by the prosecutor, she said: “At the time I felt completely violated, exposed and humiliated.
“It was shocking to realise that in a public place where I should feel safe, someone chose to treat me in such a degrading and intrusive way. It’s difficult to put into words how distressing it was to know such a private part of my body was deliberately targeted without my knowledge or consent.
“What used to be a routine and simple task [shopping] has become something I now approach with anxiety. Every time I go into that particular shop, I’m on edge. I find myself constantly looking around, checking who is near me and being hyper aware of my surroundings.
“I am no longer able to shop in a calm and carefree way. I feel tense and alert in situations where I previously felt comfortable and relaxed. It left me feeling deeply shaken and even though years have passed, I feel my sense of personal safety and dignity was taken away from me in that moment.”
She added that the impact on her son of witnessing the incident and its aftermath, and his understanding of the effect it had on her, was also upsetting. “He struggled because he couldn’t help me or make the situation better,” continued the mum. “As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to know my child witnessed my distress as the result of a sexual offence being committed against me.
“I feel a deep sense of guilt he was present and affected by this even though I know it is not my fault. No child should be exposed to this. What happened to me was not just a momentary intrusion but something that continues to affect my confidence, sense of safety and my ability to feel comfortable in ordinary situations.
“I hope the court can understand the serious impact this offence has had on me and my family. This is not a minor offence for me.”
Emin Kandola, defending Wickham, told the court he was “profoundly remorseful”, felt a “deep shame and embarrassment”, and understood the impact his offending had had on the victim. S he also explained that he and his wife were now in “a period of separation” and, having moved in with his mum, the role of caring for and supporting her had given him a “constructive focus”.
Urging the court to spare the defendant immediate custody, Ms Kandola highlighted his guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity and his voluntary steps to address his behaviour through therapy and counselling.
Passing sentence, Judge Branston said that although the offending involved “significant planning and multiple targets”, there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation that enabled him to suspend a six-month jail term for 18 months.
But, reflecting on Wickham’s demeanour in the dock, he told him: “You have, throughout these proceedings, looked suitably embarrassed and ashamed, and I am not surprised about that because you have humiliated yourself in front of your wife, mother and children. And no doubt in the eyes of friends, former colleagues and customers, and others in the county who will probably hear and read about your offending.
“And that is how it should be because these are disgusting offences representing the violation of multiple women who would be shocked and appalled to know your efforts to upskirt. As [the Aldi victim] says, this offending is not minor and has a lasting impact.”
As part of his sentence, Wickham was ordered to take part in a probation service-accredtited programme for 26 days and complete up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions. He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years, and told to pay £150 prosecution costs.
