A convicted sex offender pretended to tie his shoelaces in a karaoke bar to take pictures up women's skirts. Ryan Shead, 33, of Anstey Road in Stoneycroft, had been out of prison for only a matter of months after serving time for sexually assaulting a young girl when he committed the offence.
Incident at Woody's karaoke bar
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday, August 14, that the three complainants were socialising at Woody's karaoke bar on Wood Street in Liverpool city centre in the early hours when Shead "dropped to his knees, as if pretending to tie his shoelaces" near their table. He had his phone in his hand with the camera facing upwards, leading the women to suspect he was taking pictures up their skirts.
Simon Leong, prosecuting, described how the women alerted security, and Shead refused to allow them to look at the device when challenged. Employees then notified nearby police officers. Upon arrival, the defendant was found "extremely intoxicated, erratic and showing signs of aggression."
Offender's background and arrest
It was discovered that Shead was a registered sex offender. He provided police with a false PIN code to block access to his mobile and "had to be physically restrained" due to his aggressive behaviour during arrest. Under interview, he said he had consumed four pints and two bottles of beer and claimed he was "crouching down to fix his shoes," denying taking pictures. He also said he gave the incorrect password due to his drunken state.
Shead was previously jailed for five years in January 2023 for sexual assault of a girl under 13 and offences relating to indecent images of children. He was also subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order requiring him to make devices available to police for inspection.
Court sentencing
John Rowan, defending, said Shead had been recalled on licence and was living with his grandmother away from his home address. He said Shead struggled with isolation and used alcohol to cope with anxiety and depression. Rowan added: "He did something which he cannot come to terms with. It was a stupid action. He is remorseful for what he has done."
Shead admitted three counts of recording an image underneath clothing without consent and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for 20 months.
Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland KC said: "Young women are entitled go out for a good time and are entitled to dress accordingly and entitled to be free from sexual predation by perverts. That is how you behaved to them by upskirting, as it is called. This is an offence that causes considerable disquiet."
Shead was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years. Detective Inspector Jemma Berry of Merseyside Police said: "Shead's behaviour was totally unacceptable, but, thanks to the quick thinking of the security staff in the bar, our officers were able to promptly detain him." She added that tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority and encouraged reporting suspicious behaviour.
