Man jailed for attempting to take upskirting photographs of schoolgirls

Nation.Cymru staff

A west-Wales man who attempted to take upskirting photographs of schoolgirls aged 13 and 14 has been jailed for 18 months.

Isa Ayan, 38, of Carmarthen, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempting to operate equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent, involving three separate victims.

He was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court and was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

Dyfed-Powys Police launched an investigation after a member of staff at Poundland in Carmarthen reported seeing a man acting suspiciously in the store on February 10.

The employee was concerned that he was attempting to take a photograph under a schoolgirl’s skirt.

Detectives from Ammanford and Carmarthen CID identified Ayan through CCTV footage and he was subsequently arrested.

Police said digital forensic enquiries following his arrest revealed images of schoolgirls from the Carmarthen area.

The three identified victims were aged between 13 and 14 and, according to police, had been unaware of the offences until officers contacted them and their families.

Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock said: “The offences committed by Isa Ayan are particularly disturbing. The investigation team are thankful to the member of staff at Poundland who reported their initial concerns to police. Their vigilance subsequently led to Ayan’s arrest and charge.

“Following Ayan’s arrest, our enquiries uncovered the extent of his offending. We spoke to victims and their families, all of whom were completely unaware that the offences had taken place.

“It must be highlighted that despite the victims’ initial lack of awareness of Ayan’s degrading offending, it does not minimise the impact it has had upon them.

“We commend them for their bravery and dignity in assisting us with our investigation, after what must have been highly distressing information to receive.”

Predatory behaviour

DS Pocock urged people to report suspicious, inappropriate or predatory behaviour to police.

He added: “I hope this case demonstrates that by working together with the public and our partners we can secure convictions for dangerous offenders, whilst safeguarding those most vulnerable within our communities.

“Furthermore, it illustrates the commitment of our specialist officers who will pursue offenders and provide support to victims of all ages who may be subject to such offences.”

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