Man who took photo of teen’s buttocks at mall gets probation

A 58-year-old man claimed he was so offended by a teenage girl’s outfit he felt compelled to take a photograph of the 17year- old’s buttocks as she walked through The Pen Centre with her parents.

“Can you explain to me what business it is of yours what someone else is wearing,” Judge Harvey Brownstone asked David Crockett on Thursday after the Niagara man pleaded guilty in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of mischief.

“Can you understand how a woman in (the victim’s) position would be very distressed by you taking a picture of her backside?”

The teenager and her parents were walking inside the shopping mall in August 2019 when the young woman caught the attention of the defendant.

“They were just having an enjoyable afternoon walking around The Pen Centre when Mr. Crockett walked up behind the 17-year-old girl, who was wearing shorts, and put his phone behind her buttock area and took a photograph and quickly walked away,” said assistant Crown attorney Grace Pang.

Court was told the father observed what happened and followed the offender and confronted him.

Crockett’s counsel told the judge her client was “somewhat shocked” by what the teen was wearing and took the photograph so he could show his friends.

“That’s the only explanation he can offer at this time,” said lawyer Brenda Sandulak.

The judge imposed a sentence of probation for nine months and banned him from going to the St. Catharines shopping centre.

“You’re a grandfather … don’t you have better things to do that this?” Brownstone said.

“The next time somebody is wearing clothing you find offensive, I’d suggest you look the other way.”