Suspended sentence for man who secretly filmed work colleagues on the toilet
Accused initially denied charges but changed plea after videos were shown in court
A man who secretly filmed his colleagues while they were using the toilet at work was handed a suspended sentence on Thursday.
The man, who works in the medical field and cannot be named by court order, was accused of filming the victims without their consent and of sexually harassing them.
He had initially pleaded not guilty but changed the plea during the same sitting after the prosecuting inspector testified and the videos were exhibited in court.
The police received a report from the two victims in which they alleged that their colleague had filmed them while they were using the toilet at work.
In their submissions on punishment, the prosecution and defence agreed that the man should not been given an effective imprisonment term.
In its considerations, the Gozo court took into account the pre-sentencing report and its recommendations. It held that a person should have the peace of mind that they would not be subjected to such behaviour at work, adding that such experiences would affect them in their work. It held that an order to carry out community service, would be a lenient punishment in such a case.
The court also considered that the man had cooperated with the police and registered an early guilty plea. The court took into account the man’s criminal record and the fact that he sought help to address his situation and ensure that he does not repeat such behaviour.
He was found guilty by his own admission and handed a one-year jail term suspended for four years.
A three-year treatment order was imposed on the man, while a two-year restraining order was issued in favour of both victims.
He was ordered to pay each victim €1,500 in damages.
Magistrate Monica Vella said the judgment should not prevent him from returning to his job, but stressed that authorities must ensure he is not assigned to any role where others could be exposed to similar conduct.
Lawyers Franco Debono, Adreana Zammit and Sara Grech appeared for the accused.