Call us 0333 370 4333
21/06/18

Proposed New Offence | Upskirting | Kangs Sexual Offences Defence Solicitors

Share

It has been announced by Justice Minister Lucy Frazer that the Government would back a private member’s bill, introduced to the Commons by Wera Hobhouse, to make ‘upskirting’ a specific criminal offence.

This follows a campaign by Gina Martin who was the victim of ‘upskirting’ during a festival in London last year.

Helen Holder of Kangs Solicitors reports on the proposals.

What Is Upskirting? | Kangs Solicitors Sexual Offences Advisory Team

Whilst there is no legal definition, upskirting can be described as the taking of unauthorized photographs under a person’s clothing without consent.

The exact wording of the offence and how it can be committed will become known once the legislation has been passed.

The Current Position | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors

As there is no law banning upskirting in England and Wales at present, reliance has been placed upon the offence of outraging public decency or as a crime of voyeurism.

Whilst there have been successful prosecutions brought in these circumstances,  campaigners have argued that the existing law is totally inadequate.

The incoming offence will bring England and Wales in line with Scotland where the offence was introduced in 2010, under the definition of voyeurism.

The substantial growth in the commission of this activity arises substantially from the ever developing quality of cameras built into modern mobile phones.

What Will Be The New Penalties? | Kangs Criminal Defence Lawyers

Until the legislation is passed, the details will not be known but it is anticipated that:

  • the offence will be ‘either way’ i.e. it can be tried in either the Magistrates’ or the Crown Court,
  • the maximum sentence will be two years imprisonment.
  • the most serious offenders will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Who Can I Contact For Advice & Help? | Kangs Sexual Offences Defence Team

It is imperative that you instruct an experienced solicitor as soon as you are made aware of an allegation being made. Crucially, it is always important to have a solicitor present in interview at the police station whether it is an interview by appointment or under arrest.

To discuss an allegation of a sexual offence in further detail, please contact:

Hamraj Kang
hkang@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07976 258171 | 020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888

Helen Holder
hholder@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 07989 521210

News insights, Serious Fraud, Services
A former Labour MP, Jared O’Mara, has received an immediate custodial sentence of four years having been found guilty, following his trial, of six counts of fraud relating to false expenses claims for work that he never carried out in respect of jobs that did not even exist. For further Press details please follow the […]
07/03/23
Criminal Litigation, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has recently successfully defended a client facing an allegation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm arising from an incident forced upon him whilst he was simply conducting his  business, running a restaurant in London’s West End, when confronted with an unsavoury situation. Kangs Solicitors was instructed from the onset attending the interview under caution at Charing […]
06/03/23
Insolvency, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has been instructed to defend claims against our client alleging breaches of Section 212 and 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The claims are being brought by the joint liquidators of our client’s company on the basis that our client allegedly knew that he and his company were participating in ‘Missing Trader Intra- Community’ Fraud’ […]
01/03/23

Get in touch

Need legal assistance? Contact our experienced team for prompt and professional support.
Your privacy is important to us and all details you share will be kept confidential.
Old map of Birmingham