Gareth Ashton, A man from Prestatyn who clandestinely recorded footage beneath the skirts of schoolchildren has been incarcerated.
Gareth Ashton of Victoria Road, Prestatyn, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, October 25, after acknowledging a violation of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
On September 8, 2023, Ashton surreptitiously recorded indecent footage beneath the skirts of several schoolgirls at Prestatyn train station without their knowledge.
The group observed this, confronted him, subsequently expelled him, and reported the incident to the police.
Gareth Ashton was later arrested by police, who then searched his home.
Numerous devices were seized which had not been registered with police as required by an existing SHPO, that he was subject of.
The Digital Forensic Unit who examined the devices discovered 1258 indecent images and videos of young children, including footage he secretly filmed of a naked child on a beach.
Gareth Ashton took screenshots of the video to create still images of the naked child.
Searches on his devices also revealed he had searched the internet for terms such as ‘best spy camera’ and ‘how to record someone without them knowing’.
Gareth Ashton was jailed for four years and ten months and was made subject of the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Police Constable Julian Tomlinson of the Protection Vulnerable People Unit said: “Parents and children should feel safe when out in public, and Ashton’s actions will no doubt have a lasting impact on the community.
“I praise the victim for supporting the investigation which has led to his conviction and will prevent him from offending again.
“We will robustly deal with those who offend against children and society’s most vulnerable people.”
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