British Parking Association boss quits in disgrace after being caught prowling trains to film up commuters’ skirts
Patrick Troy, 56, said he was an "opportunist" after a fellow passenger caught him secretly recording
A LEADING parking expert who was caught filming up a woman's skirt during his commute home described himself as an "opportunist".
Patrick Troy, 56, quit his high-profile job as chief executive of the British Parking Association in disgrace after a fellow commuter spotted him filming women at Vauxhall railway station.
The witness noticed a red light on Troy's phone which showed he was recording, then saw a "clear image" on his phone screen, before challenging him and following him on to his train.
Malachi Packenham, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was witnessed video recording up an unknown female's skirt as she was walking towards platform eight at Vauxhall railway station.
"He was seen holding his phone in his right hand at an angle below the female's skirt.
"Apparently, a member of the public could see the red recording button on the phone. They could also see a clear image on the defendant's mobile phone of the female's skirt and the back of her legs.
"The witness challenged the defendant on platform eight, then followed him onto the train. The defendant was then seen with his hand in his right pocket, fiddling with something.
"The witness believed he was trying to get the phone out to delete some of the images.
"When [the train] stopped at Clapham Junction, he was arrested for outraging public decency.
"There were a number of other images, but I should stress he is only charged with one offence."
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After being arrested on June 8, Troy admitted to police he had previously filmed other women, and Westminster Magistrates' Court heard he had been doing it for "10 months and has had a range of victims".
Troy resigned from the BPA for "personal reasons" in February after joining the organisation from TfL in 2009, where he was responsible for traffic enforcement.
Packenham said Troy was "frank and open" in his police interview and told cops he was "ashamed of his actions and bitterly regretted it".
He added that Troy had admitted being an "opportunist" who filmed up women's skirts "when the opportunity presented itself".
Bespectacled Troy appeared in court dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue striped tie.
Passing sentence, chair of the bench John Newgas said: "This offence has gone on for a period of about ten months and has had a range of victims.
"We consider it has reached the custody threshold. We will, however, because this is a first offence, suspend this sentence for two years."
Troy, of Cheam, south London, admitted one count of outraging public decency.
He was sentenced to 18 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to attend a 35-day rehabilitation requirement and to pay £85 costs with a £115 victim surcharge.
Troy is also banned from using any camera or recording device on public transport under a sexual harm prevention order.
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