by Hayley Robinson
hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A pervert was caught filming men urinating in toilets at a shopping centre.

Police found dozens of films of men in public loos when they raided Gary Nicholls’ home in Sanderling Way, Iwade.

He had downloaded them on his home computer from his mobile phone.

Nicholls was arrested after a member of the public reported to a security guard that a man was taking photographs in the men’s toilets of The Mall Chequers in Maidstone.

When arrested Nicholls corrected the police officer, telling him he was actually videoing.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard how videos of a similar nature were found on the 37-year-old’s mobile phone, some dating back to 2008, following his arrest on June 19 this year.

Copies of the videos were also found on his home computer after it was seized by Kent Police. No images of children were found.

Nicholls, who used the images for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification from them, pleaded guilty to four charges of voyeurism.

Forty-three other offences which he admitted were also taken into consideration when he first appeared in court on November 4.

Nicholls’ guilty plea was taken into account by magistrates during sentencing.

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register which he must remain on for five years.

As part of a sexual offences prevention order, for the next five years Nicholls must not have in his possession in a public place any mobile phone with a recording facility or any equipment capable of recording images.

He must also participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme and complete 80 sessions over three years as part of the community order and attend appointments with probation.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.