Incident at Halton Leisure Centre
Ian Tabron, 40, of Top Road, Frodsham, Cheshire, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for a year, and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years after admitting a single charge of voyeurism at Warrington Magistrates' Court.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 19, at Halton Leisure Centre in Widnes. Police were called following reports from staff that a man had secretly attempted to record four children in a changing cubicle.
How the children raised the alarm
According to Cheshire Police, the four girls had been using the swimming pool and then entered a changing cubicle. While inside, they noticed a hand reaching under the door holding a phone, which appeared to be recording them. The children notified their friends, and the man began to walk away. He was confronted by staff but quickly fled the scene.
Detectives studied CCTV images, and a member of staff also managed to take a photo of Tabron before he escaped. He was arrested soon after and charged with voyeurism.
Police commend the victims
Detective Sergeant Chris Murphy said: "I'd like to commend the children involved in this incident for recognising this incredibly concerning behaviour and raising these concerns with a member of staff. Their quick-thinking allowed our officers to swiftly arrest and apprehend a man who clearly poses a significant risk to children. Tabron knew what he was doing was unacceptable and predatory, but this didn't stop him from violating the privacy and safety of four innocent children."
Cheshire Police described Tabron's behaviour as "unacceptable and predatory" and noted that he "clearly poses a significant risk to children."
