Teen distressed at peeping Tom in changing room
by Nick Lillitos
Police are hunting a peeping Tom who reduced a 19-year-old girl
to tears while she undressed in a changing cubicle at Mote Park
Leisure Centre.
The man, described as white, with a stubbly beard and in his
40s, reportedly placed his head under the dividing panel of the
teenager’s cubicle which adjoined his.
“I saw these staring eyes looking up at me,” said hairdresser
Taylor Powell. “I just burst out crying and ran out. My friend
rushed off to get security but by the time they arrived he made
off.”
The incident happened on Sunday, November 4, and follows reports
about a man of similar age, and also with a stubbly beard, exposing
himself to women in woods near Barming.
But a Kent Police spokesman said the two are not being
linked.
"I’m just a 19-year-old girl who had her privacy invaded" – peeping Tom victim Taylor Powell
“We are investigating
a report of an act of voyeurism at the centre, but there’s nothing
to suggest that it is linked to offences that dog walkers have
reported,” said a police spokesman.
Taylor, of St George’s Avenue, Herne Bay, was visiting the
centre with her friend Rachel and seven-year-old Ronnie, Rachel’s
brother, also from Herne Bay.
“We wanted to have a nice day out in Maidstone and chose the
leisure centre,” said Taylor.
“Before going to my changing room I had already clocked this
man. For quite a while he was intently leering at me. I’m just a
19-year-old girl who had her privacy invaded. He so embarrassed
me.”
When staff at the centre played back their CCTV film Taylor said
she was able to identify him.
A statement called the incident “extremely rare,” adding: “We
sincerely hope that Ms Powell is recovering from what was a
distressing experience, but would like to reassure her and all our
customers that their safety and security is paramount.
“This incident has, and is being taken, very seriously by
ourselves and the police who are now leading the investigation into
the allegations.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101,
quoting crime reference: YY/20350//12
13/11/12
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