Northern Ireland

Trainee lifeguard given probation order after secretly recording teenage girl in leisure centre toilets

Caolan McCreesh (25) of Camlough Road, Camlough pleaded guilty to voyeurism
Caolan McCreesh (25) of Camlough Road, Camlough pleaded guilty to voyeurism Caolan McCreesh (25) of Camlough Road, Camlough pleaded guilty to voyeurism

A TRAINEE lifeguard has received a 12-month probation order for secretly recording a teenage girl in Newry Leisure Centre toilets.

Caolan McCreesh (25) of Camlough Road, Camlough pleaded guilty to voyeurism and attempting to make an indecent photograph of a child last November.

Newry court was told that McCreesh had been in unisex toilets when he placed his phone underneath a cubicle to record a 15-year-old girl.

The defendant had been in the swimming pool on a lifeguard training course.

Police arrived, seized the phone and detained the defendant.

When McCreesh was arrested and interviewed, he initially denied the allegations and was released on bail.

On June 15, he was again arrested and admitted the offences.

Defence barrister Justin Byrne said his client, who had no record, did not know the girl was underage, "however that is no excuse".

"He was going through a difficult time and was suffering from mental health problems," said Mr Byrne.

"He is now getting treatment with his GP and is in a better place."

District judge Eamonn King alluded to impact statements from the victim and her mother expressed "eloquently" to the courts.

"It has been beneficial to society that this offence was detected," he said.

McCreesh must cooperate fully with the probation order in which he is barred from having an electronic device with a camera, being in a relationship and being in child central locations without the prior permission of a probation risk manager.

His name will automatically appear on the sex offenders register.