Scottish Government officer took photos up women’s skirts

Thomas Neil Trotter filmed up the skirts of women at Edinburgh's Waverley Station. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Thomas Neil Trotter, 53 of Forrest View, Polmont, Falkirk, pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today to filming up the skirts of women at the city’s Waverley Station and in the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow between June 11 and September 29 last year.

Fiscal Depute, Aidan Higgins, told Sheriff Peter Braid that Trotter travelled into Edinburgh daily by train to attend his place of work.

On Monday, September 29, he said: “As he made his way out of Waverley Station he came to the attention of a fellow commuter because he seemed to be acting in a curious manner, a sinister manner”.

Mr Higgins added: “As he entered the escalator, he was clearly making an effort to get very close to a female ahead of him. He was seen to be holding his mobile phone in such a way that it was clear he was using his phone to get under the lady’s skirt, taking photographs of areas under the skirt”.

The Fiscal said the commuter, who had witnessed this, reported his concerns to the British Transport Police. CCTV footage was viewed and Trotter identified.

“It was correctly assumed he was a commuter and that he would be back in the station the following day “ said Mr Higgins.

“In anticipation of that, a number of police officers were placed on surveillance. On September 30, the accused was identified as he left the train and was detained as he left the station”.

At St Leonard’s Police Station, early examination of his iPhone showed it was being used in a voyeuristic manner.

Examination of Trotter’s computer at his home established he had been using his mobile on various days between June 11 and September 29, 2014, Mr Higgins said 22 videos showed the camera had been directed under females’ skirts.

It also showed that he had been acting in this way at Waverley Station and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow.

Mr Higgins added that there was no evidence to suggest Trotter had shown the pictures to anyone else.

Defence solicitor, Neil Hay, said the filming had taken place in Edinburgh and Glasgow only and had been for Trotter’s “personal gratification”.

“This man” said the lawyer “tried to plea guilty as early as possible”.

“The Crown has had the utmost co-operation of the accused”.

Mr Hay added that Trotter’s wife was present in court and supported her husband. He had also been taking part in sessions with a counsellor since October.

Sheriff Braid deferred sentence on Trotter, a first offender, until next month for reports and told him to resister as a sex offender.