Darren Cox, 49, from Carstairs, Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to filming women in changing cubicles at a Sainsbury's store in Hamilton. Police seized his phone and discovered 20 videos of women and a young girl in a state of undress.
Caught in the act
Cox was apprehended when a shopper noticed a phone positioned on top of the cubicle she was using. The shocked woman confronted him, and police were summoned. Officers reviewed supermarket CCTV showing Cox entering a fitting room with two pairs of trousers and two t-shirts. The woman he filmed was seen entering a cubicle next to his.
Extent of the crimes
Prosecutor Kevin Morrow stated that 20 videos of adult women undressing in fitting rooms were found on Cox's phone. Police also uncovered footage of a girl believed to be between 10 and 12 years old being filmed as she changed in a cubicle. Aside from the woman who caught him, none of his victims have been identified.
Court proceedings
Morrow informed the court that Cox was 'tearful' and remorseful when questioned. 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.' Cox told police he had been 'flaming stupid' and wanted to apologise. He said his wife had been going through a 'horrendous' time and he had been her carer.
Impact on victim
Sheriff Liam Murphy stated that a statement from the victim who caught Cox showed his actions had a 'significant' impact on her. The sheriff told Cox: 'Be under no illusion, you have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.'
Sentencing postponed
Sentencing was postponed until next month for background reports, an electronic tagging assessment, and a risk assessment. Cox has been placed on the sex offenders register.
