A 64-YEAR-OLD visitor has admitted taking photos of women and teenage girls on a beach – but claimed he only did it because he was bored.
Michael Moreton, from Shrewsbury, confirmed that he had been using his mobile phone to take pictures while on St Brelade’s beach on 17 August.
But he said the images were only ‘random photos of people’ and claimed he was not specifically targeting women and teenagers, and that there was no sexual motivation to them.
In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday he admitted the charge of acting in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. The court heard that this charge reflected the possibility that those photographed or their relatives could have become aggressive towards Moreton.
Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, said a woman on the beach that afternoon had seen Moreton holding his phone in his hand for around half an hour or longer. When she later walked past him she noticed images on it of three young girls.
‘She considered that this was not okay and immediately contacted the police,’ he said.
‘She was made to feel uncomfortable, and was disgusted and outraged by what she had seen.’
Police arrested Moreton on suspicion of voyeurism. He voluntarily handed over his mobile phone, which was found to contain pictures of women and teenage girls in bathing costumes and fully clothed.
The advocate said: ‘He said he didn’t recall recording individuals. He was just taking random photos of people on the beach.
‘He said he did it to alleviate boredom and not for any sexual gratification.’
The court heard that Moreton had no previous convictions.
Assistant Magistrate Peter Harrison adjourned sentencing until 20 October to allow time for background reports.
Moreton was released on bail and was due to return to England today but will have to come back to Jersey for the sentencing.
