A man has been sentenced to a seven year Sexual Harm Protection Order for upskirting.

Martin Behan, 64, of Winters Way in Waltham Abbey, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (March 5), where he was handed the order and told he cannot own or possess any mobile phone which has a camera on the front or back.

He was also ordered to complete a 36 month community order, 35 sessions of a sexual offending behaviour programme, 120 hours unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He previously admitted two counts of outraging public decency at the same court on February 7.

Behan was caught after he crept up on his victim while she was shopping in Waltham Abbey Tesco at 7.30pm on August 23, 2018.

She felt something brush her leg, prompting the woman to swing round and find Bethan crouching down with his phone facing up toward her.

She demanded his phone and Behan handed it over.

The woman then told security at the shop who apprehended Behan until police arrived and arrested him.

Police seized Behan’s phones, which were unlocked, and found thousands of photographs and videos of upskirting offences which took place in various locations including at train stations, at shops and in town centres in broad daylight.

Behan was re-arrested yesterday at his address where police found further images on SD cards.

He was charged before appearing at court.

Chief Inspector Lewis Basford, district commander for Brentwood and Epping Forest, said: "We successful secured a Sexual Harm Protection Order against Behan because he clearly poses a risk to women who are doing nothing more than going about their daily business.

"He won’t be able to own or possess a camera phone and he will have to complete numerous orders, programmes and unpaid work.

"If he goes on to breach any of the conditions put on him, he will face a possible prison sentence.

“I would like to thank the woman who raised the alarm about Behan’s behaviour, without her quick thinking and support, I have no doubt Behan would have continued to carry out his illegal acts."