Story by The Daily Record - Dumbarton engineer avoids jail term after secretly filming schoolgirls for nine years
An aeronautical engineer who secretly filmed schoolgirls in uniform for almost nine years using a hidden camera has escaped a jail sentence.
Police found a sick diary detailing his crimes - as well as a mannequin dressed like a schoolgirl – at Gary McGorm’s home in Dumbarton.
The 52-year-old was ordered to perform 300 hours unpaid work and placed on the sex offenders’ register for three years when he appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court today (Friday) and admitted a breach of the peace as well as acting in a threatening manner. The charges spanned between June 2011 and February this year.
The court heard the first offender used a camera hidden in a bag to record 51 videos of young girls, filming them in restaurants, on public transport and while they were walking along the street. None of his victims knew they were being recorded.
Sheriff Reid, who sentenced McGorm told him the community service was a direct alternative to custody as he had already spent the equivalent of a 12 month sentence on remand.
McGorm was initially caught after staff at a Taco Bell restaurant in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street were suspicious of him. He had a bag with a square cut out as a camera lens tracked two girls sitting nearby. McGorm then followed the pair out before staff alerted police.
Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “Officers observed a silver camera contained within an open shoebox inside the green carrier bag.
“The camera had 51 videos which featured female pupils being covertly filmed on streets, in fast food restaurants and on public transport. “Those filmed were all school children in uniform.”
Mr Allan added: “At his home further 11 images of a mannequin dressed in a white shirt, grey skirt and a variation of socks or tights were recovered from a digital camera as was the mannequin itself.”
A diary - with what appeared to be a school motto on the front - revealed details of other similar incidents involving schoolgirls at Glasgow Central Station, on a train to Edinburgh and at a Subway restaurant. It also appeared McGorm had a foot or sock fetish.
Judith Reid, defending, said: “He accepts there was a significant sexual element. It is accepted his behaviour was strange and concerning and there is no doubt about that.
“This has been entirely devastating for Mr McGorm as before this he was in his job for 20 years.
“He was held in high regard in that employment which required significant qualifications and security clearances. “He recognises that he has a problem and an addiction and needs help.”
Daily Record, August 2020 - https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dumbarton-engineer-avoids-jail-term-22592655
With hidden devices becoming easier and easier to conceal it is not always possible to identify them; if you think you may be the victim of hidden surveillance please contact us for further assistance.
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