A Perthshire man has narrowly escaped imprisonment after pleading guilty to voyeurism, leaving his victim and the local community in disbelief. Andrew Thomas, 49, a former offshore worker, admitted to secretly recording a 65-year-old woman in her own home near Pitlochry.
The court heard how Thomas, driven by an infatuation with the woman, strategically placed a covert camera inside a flower vase in her bedroom. The camera, an iPhone connected to a power bank for extended recording, captured over 40 hours of footage. The disturbing invasion of privacy came to light when the victim discovered the device while adjusting the artificial flowers in the vase. Previous Offence Raises Concerns
Adding to the community’s concern, this is not Thomas’s first offence of this nature. He has a prior sexual conviction stemming from a similar incident where he filmed a female colleague without her consent on an offshore oil rig. This past offence raises serious questions about the leniency of the sentence he received in this most recent case.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed her shock and dismay at the discovery. She attended the sentencing at Perth Sheriff Court, hoping to bring the reality of his actions home to Thomas. She stated that his account of why he was no longer employed on the oil rigs had been a complete fabrication, designed to manipulate her perception of him. Community Payback Ordered
Sheriff Alison McKay acknowledged the severity of the crime, describing it as a “significant violation” of the victim’s privacy and home. She considered a prison sentence “entirely appropriate” but ultimately opted for an alternative. Thomas received a Community Payback Order with the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work, a six-month restriction of liberty order confining him to his homeless accommodation at Skinnergate in Perth between 7pm and 7am, and two years of supervision. He is prohibited from contacting the victim, entering her village, and faces restrictions on his internet and phone usage. Thomas will also remain on the sex offenders register for five years.
The victim expressed relief at avoiding the ordeal of a trial, which had loomed over her for months after Thomas initially denied the charge before changing his plea to guilty. She emphasized her desire to reclaim some sense of control by attending the sentencing, hoping to convey the profound impact of his actions on her life. The victim’s attendance underscored the need for Thomas to confront the consequences of his voyeurism and understand the lasting distress it has caused.
The case has stirred discussion within the Perth and Kinross area, particularly in Pitlochry, about safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such predatory behaviour and the importance of robust sentencing for repeat offenders. The local community has rallied around the victim, offering support and advocating for increased vigilance against such violations of privacy.
The court heard how Thomas, driven by an infatuation with the woman, strategically placed a covert camera inside a flower vase in her bedroom. The camera, an iPhone connected to a power bank for extended recording, captured over 40 hours of footage. The disturbing invasion of privacy came to light when the victim discovered the device while adjusting the artificial flowers in the vase. Previous Offence Raises Concerns
Adding to the community’s concern, this is not Thomas’s first offence of this nature. He has a prior sexual conviction stemming from a similar incident where he filmed a female colleague without her consent on an offshore oil rig. This past offence raises serious questions about the leniency of the sentence he received in this most recent case.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed her shock and dismay at the discovery. She attended the sentencing at Perth Sheriff Court, hoping to bring the reality of his actions home to Thomas. She stated that his account of why he was no longer employed on the oil rigs had been a complete fabrication, designed to manipulate her perception of him. Community Payback Ordered
Sheriff Alison McKay acknowledged the severity of the crime, describing it as a “significant violation” of the victim’s privacy and home. She considered a prison sentence “entirely appropriate” but ultimately opted for an alternative. Thomas received a Community Payback Order with the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work, a six-month restriction of liberty order confining him to his homeless accommodation at Skinnergate in Perth between 7pm and 7am, and two years of supervision. He is prohibited from contacting the victim, entering her village, and faces restrictions on his internet and phone usage. Thomas will also remain on the sex offenders register for five years.
The victim expressed relief at avoiding the ordeal of a trial, which had loomed over her for months after Thomas initially denied the charge before changing his plea to guilty. She emphasized her desire to reclaim some sense of control by attending the sentencing, hoping to convey the profound impact of his actions on her life. The victim’s attendance underscored the need for Thomas to confront the consequences of his voyeurism and understand the lasting distress it has caused.
The case has stirred discussion within the Perth and Kinross area, particularly in Pitlochry, about safeguarding vulnerable individuals from such predatory behaviour and the importance of robust sentencing for repeat offenders. The local community has rallied around the victim, offering support and advocating for increased vigilance against such violations of privacy.