A man who took upskirting photographs of schoolgirls in Carmarthen has been jailed for 18 months, after a Poundland staff member’s report set the investigation in motion.
Isa Ayan, 38, of Carmarthen, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of attempting to operate equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent, each relating to a separate victim.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, both for ten years.
The case began on 10 February this year, when Dyfed-Powys Police received a report from a staff member at Poundland in Carmarthen who had seen a man acting suspiciously in the store, and feared he was attempting to photograph under a schoolgirl’s skirt.
Detectives from Ammanford and Carmarthen CID identified Ayan through CCTV and arrested him.
Digital forensic work then revealed the extent of what he had done: images of local schoolgirls from the Carmarthen area, with the identified victims aged between 13 and 14.
None of the girls or their families knew the offences had taken place until police told them.
Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock described Ayan’s offending as “particularly disturbing”, and said the investigation team owed the outcome to the shop worker whose “vigilance subsequently led to Ayan’s arrest and charge”.
He said officers identified victims and families “all of whom were completely unaware that the offences had taken place”, and that their initial lack of awareness “does not minimise the impact it has had upon them”.
The detective praised the girls for their “bravery and dignity” in assisting the investigation, “after what must have been highly distressing information to receive”.
DS Pocock urged the public to report any suspicious or predatory behaviour, whether as a victim or a witness. “I hope this case demonstrates that by working together with the public and our partners we can secure convictions for dangerous offenders, whilst safeguarding those most vulnerable within our communities,” he said.
Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence can contact New Pathways, which offers specialist support, at newpathways.org.uk. Reports can be made to Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, always 999 in an emergency, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Children and young people can also talk to Childline in confidence on 0800 1111.
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