Voyeur tried to catch women on camera as they used Farringdon toilet
Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
A pervert who tried to film women going to the toilet while he locked himself in the next door cubicle has been placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Elmin Hernandez-Rivera, 29, was working as an office cleaner at a block in Farringdon when he wrapped his camera phone in tissue paper and a blue cleaning cloth and hid it next to the WC in a ladies communal toilet.
He locked himself in the adjacent cubicle, placed an “out of order” sign on the door, and waited for an unsuspecting woman to use the facilities – hoping to capture the act on his mobile for his own sexual gratification.
But before he could get any footage another member of staff saw the phone and alerted police, who arrested the voyeur.
Hernandez-Rivera, of Cranwich Road, Stamford Hill, pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court and on Friday was handed a two-year community order, fined £135 and made to sign the sex offenders register for five years.
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Unpleasant
District Judge John Perkins said: “This is an extremely unpleasant offence.
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“It’s distressing for those at whom it was targeted and it’s quite clear that some thought had gone into how the offence was going to be committed.
“Fortunately, no recording was made. You’re fortunate that was the case and I hope that gives some consolation to those that might otherwise have been affected.
He added: “You are responsible for two children. Try to think how you would feel if someone had tried this offence and they had been the victims.”
Hernandez-Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism. He is said to live in a single room with his two children and wife, who was at the hearing and appeared to be in tears, and his nine-year-old child.
In mitigation, Hernandez-Reivera’s solicitor said: “He feels ashamed that he has put his family through this disgrace. They live in a very difficult situation, in one room with two kids.”
District Judge Perkins added: “You’re a man of 29 with no previous convictions, you admitted the matter at once, it was very quickly discovered and made obvious who was responsible, so in that sense it was unsophisticated, and I’m told that you are remorseful and apologetic.
“None of that excuses the offence, but it is mitigation I can take into account.”
