Academic, 34, hauled before court after secretly filming women’s bottoms in busy London shopping area with a camera disguised as a vape

An academic who secretly filmed women’s bottoms using a camera disguised as a vape has appeared in court. 

David Cloarec, 34, used the hidden camera while walking behind the women in Kingston-upon-Thames town centre. 

The University of Surrey PhD researcher was then detected by members of the public, Wimbledon magistrates’ court heard. 

Jack Williams, prosecuting, told the court: ‘He was using the camera to observe [women’s] bottoms as he walked around behind them.

‘He was detected by members of the public and the police were called and there was an attempt to escape, but that was not successful.

‘There was a substantial amount of footage that was taken at the time.’

The University of Surrey PhD researcher was detected by members of the public, Wimbledon magistrates’ court heard 

Cloarec, of Aldershot, Hampshire, told the court he was ‘ashamed’ of his behaviour, adding that he has ‘betrayed [his] professors’ through the acts. 

He is a graduate of the University of Bordeaux, in France, where he completed degrees in social and human sciences, as well as law and economy management, The Telegraph reported. 

The professor was found guilty of attempting to operate equipment underneath the clothing of another, without their consent on June 10 last year, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

He said: ‘I am sorry for what I have done. It was a one-time event and it was out of curiosity that I did it.’  

Cloarec was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work, by District Judge David Bolton. 

The professor must also carry out 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, pay £650 in costs, as well as a £114 victim surcharge and sign the sex offenders register.