Man sentenced for upskirting and voyeurism

A man who admitted upskirting women in supermarkets in Baldock and Hemel Hempstead has been jailed for 39 weeks, suspended 12 months. 

Colin Hitch, aged 57, was sentenced at St Crown Court on Friday (3 February) for offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

In June last year, Hitch placed his mobile phone in a shopping basket while in Tesco on the High Street. He walked close to four victims, using the phone to capture video images under their dresses. 

On one occasion, a women became suspicious after twice noticing Hitch stood close to her. His shopping basket had knocked against her leg several times and she noticed the phone in it. 

She reported the incident to the store manager and police were informed. The store's CCTV was checked, revealing Hitch had targeted three more women that day. 

When Hitch was later arrested at his home, officers seized other media devices belonging to him. Specialist digital investigators were called in and 980 video clips – most of upskirting – were found on memory sticks. 

Another video showed a woman in a bathroom undressing and getting into a shower. 

Hitch admitted recording the videos without the consent of the women when interviewed by detectives. 

Investigating officers were able to identify 22 further victims of upskirting – many offences taking place in supermarkets in Hemel Hempstead. 

Hitch, from Bovingdon, Herts, later pleaded guilty to:

Five offences of recording an image or operating equipment under clothing to observe another without consent. 

One offence of voyeurism by recording a private act. 

A further 22 offences were also taken into consideration by the court. Hitch has been detained on remand for the past seven months. As well as the suspended sentence, the judge also granted a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order against him. 

Detective Constable Rebecca Hargrave said: "Hitch collected hundreds of images of women on his phone – each one a violation of that person. Many of these women remain unidentified as they likely were unaware of his actions. Had they known however, I am sure they would have felt demeaned, intruded upon, and even humiliated. 

 "Hitch said he knew what he had done was wrong, but despite this continued without any consideration for the women he targeted. We will not tolerate these kinds of offences that target women going about their lives, where they have a right to feel safe and free from this kind of intrusion."