A JUDGE will sentence a Colchester man next month for secretly filming people by placing a camera under their clothing.

Zach Smith, 29, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to admit two charges of recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent.

The offences, which are known as 'upskirting', took place between January and February this year.

Smith admitted a separate offence of sharing an image of a person in an intimate state intending to cause harm, distress, or humiliation.

The court heard the offences were too serious to be dealt with by magistrates, meaning Smith now faces a sentence before a crown court judge who can pass a greater sentence.

District Judge Christopher Williams did not read out the facts in open court, saying he had read a summary of the offences prior to the hearing.

The court was told, however, that Smith had abused a position of trust.

Smith, of Sycamore Road, Colchester, has resigned from his place of work as a result of the offences.

Nishma Shah, prosecuting, said: “Given the circumstances, he no longer has access to the victims in this case.”

Judge Williams told Smith a pre-sentence report will be prepared before he is sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on the week beginning Monday, October 28.