A 49-year-old man labelled a “s*x pest” has been banned from entering into a relationship without informing social workers after committing a disturbing act.
Andrew Thomas was caught secretly recording his 65-year-old neighbour changing in her bedroom, using an iPhone hidden inside a vase of artificial flowers at her home near Pitlochry, Scotland.
Reports state Thomas had gained the woman’s trust and installed the device, which recorded her in various states of undress over several months.
His actions came to light when the victim discovered the hidden phone while rearranging the flowers. Investigators later found the device contained over 40 hours of footage.
Thomas was eventually caught inside her property by the woman’s daughter and her partner.
Thomas admitted to his actions and confessed to having romantic feelings towards the victim, according to the Daily Record.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alison McKay placed Thomas on the Sex Offenders Register for five years and ordered him to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service.
Prosecutor Rachel Hill told the court that the victim lived alone in a village near Pitlochry.
On July 29, 2023, while adjusting her artificial flowers, she found the hidden mobile phone connected to a power bank, with the device actively recording. Further examination revealed 34 files containing intimate footage.
Hill explained that the woman had viewed Thomas as a friend, often socialising with him over coffee, drinks, and dog walks.
Defence solicitor Linda Clark said Thomas had become infatuated with the woman and wrongly believed their friendship might develop into something more, though she stressed this was no justification for his behaviour.
Thomas had secretly filmed the woman between January 29 and July 29, 2023.
Sheriff McKay described the offence as a serious invasion of the woman’s privacy, saying, “It is concerning that you violated the home and trust of someone you had befriended.”
As part of his sentence, Thomas was also given a 12-clause conduct order restricting his use of phones and the internet, prohibiting contact with his victim, and requiring him to report any new relationships or friendships to authorities.
