The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
OAP secretly filmed people in cafe toilet
Apeeping Tom pensioner hid a video camera in a Perthshire cafe bathroom to film customers using the toilet.
Raymond Finlay concealed the device under a sink at the Braco Coffee Shop.
The 75-year-old filmed several men and women using the facilities as he ate lunch nearby.
Finlay abruptly left the cafe when the device was spotted by a staff member.
The OAP was later traced by police after they reviewed the footage and saw he had filmed himself setting up the camera.
At Perth Sheriff Court Finlay, of Cruckburn Wynd, Stirling, admitted a single charge of voyeurism.
He was placed on the sex offenders register.
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told the court that at around 1.30pm on August 5 2019 Finlay entered the cafe at Front Street, Braco.
“At this time, he was captured on CCTV. He ordered food items and paid with his debit card,” she said. “At 2.22pm, the shop manager attended at the unisex toilets within the premises.
“She observed a camcorder device which was attached to a pipe under the sink, facing the toilet, with a green light flashing.
“She removed the device and switched it off. It was then placed into a plastic bag. Shortly after this, the accused left the premises.”
Officers arrived just before 3.30pm and took the camcorder.
“The footage captured the accused entering the toilet and setting up the device underneath the sink,” said the fiscal depute.
“A number of persons were seen using the bathroom, including three unidentified males.”
Police traced Finlay using details from the bank card he used to pay for his lunch.
“Officers attended at his home address with a search warrant on October 16 2020,” said Ms Ritchie.
“They were met by the accused at the door and they placed him under arrest.
“He asked for his wife to join him in the living room.
“While he was under caution, he stated to his wife: ‘I’ve done something terrible’.
“The accused’s wife was told he was being arrested for sexual voyeurism in relation to a camera in a coffee shop toilet.
“He stated that he did do it and was reminded by police he was still under caution.”
Ms Ritchie added: “The toilet at the accused’s home address was similar to one that featured in footage found on the camera.
“It effectively showed the accused setting up the device in his own bathroom, before he set it up in the coffee shop.” She said this appeared to be a “dry run”.
Solicitor Brian Allison said Finlay suffered ill health, adding: “When police saw his reaction when they visited his home, ambulance personnel were called.
“He tells me that the proceedings have been a great strain for him and he is anxious to have the case dealt with.”
Sheriff Euan Duthie deferred sentence until December 23.