A man who filmed a woman undressing in a supermarket changing room has avoided prison. Darren Cox, 49, formerly of Lanark Road, Carstairs, was placed under supervision for three years at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He was ordered to pay the only known victim £1,000 in compensation and must stay away from her under a 10-year non-harassment order.
How he was caught
Cox admitted filming females at Sainsbury's in Hamilton and other unknown locations between February and April 2024. The court heard he was caught when a female shopper realised a phone had been placed on top of the cubicle she was in. The horrified woman confronted Cox and police were contacted. Officers viewed the supermarket's CCTV which showed Cox going into a fitting room carrying two pairs of trousers and two t-shirts. The woman he filmed was seen entering an adjacent cubicle.
Evidence on his phone
When police seized Cox's phone they found 20 videos of adult women in a state of undress in fitting rooms. They also discovered that he had filmed a girl thought to be aged between 10 and 12 years old as she changed in a cubicle. Apart from the woman who caught him, none of his victims have been identified.
Court proceedings
Kevin Morrow, prosecuting, said Cox was "tearful" and apologetic when police quizzed him. The fiscal said: "He admitted he had been watching people and videoing them in changing areas. He claimed he didn't know the girl he filmed was so young and deleted that video as soon as he realised." The accused said his wife had been going through a 'horrendous' time and he had been her carer. There had been all sorts of issues. He told police he had been 'flaming stupid' and wanted to apologise.
Defence and sentence
Defence lawyer Andy Iles said Cox, who has since moved to England, "accepts full responsibility for an extremely serious offence". He stated: "He appreciates the effect the offence has had on the known complainer. It is a matter that has brought great shame on him. His thinking at the time was confused. It's clear that his personal circumstances affected his behaviour." Sheriff Liam Murphy said the impact on the woman had been "significant", according to a statement she provided. The offence merited jail but "by a slim margin" the sheriff was willing to impose an alternative. Cox must also do 300 hours of unpaid community work and will be on the sex offenders' register for three years.
