AN upskirt pervert who filmed under the skirts of strangers using a secret camera hidden inside his shoe proved to be camera-shy.

Richard Whyley left Worcester Magistrates Court in a hurry and kept his Covid mask on after he was tipped off about the Press waiting outside.

Despite being an enthusiastic amateur photographer himself, he was rather more reluctant to have his own photo taken. However, after a short pursuit the defendant turned towards the camera and said: "Just take the picture!"

Whyley filmed under the skirts of victims, recording 6,000 images of buttocks and genitals in Worcester High Street using a GoPro camera concealed in the toe of his shoe. A 16-year-old girl raised the alarm at H&M in Worcester on August 16, 2019 after she heard the camera click, bringing his depraved campaign to an end. The 32-year-old of Lavender Lane, Stourbridge, admitted voyeurism, two charges of recording an image under clothing to observe without consent and operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent. The photos were taken mainly in Worcester but also in Malvern and Stourbridge between June 26 and August 15, 2019.

Ralph Robyns-Landricombe, prosecuting, said: "He confirmed he had never shared any of the images and stated he was too ashamed to share them."

When asked by officers in interview if he had intended to capture images of the genitals and buttocks of his victims he replied: "I suppose so, yes."

He stated he never took photographs of people he knew - they were always strangers. When told there were there were 6,436 images taken on his GoPro camera he replied: "Jesus, that's a horrible amount."

Barry Newton, defending, urged magistrates to retain jurisdiction of the case. However, they decided it was far too serious, citing the 'premeditation and planning' and the number of victims. Mr Newton added: "He says he has been doing this for around two years when interviewed in November, 2019." He described his client as a father-of-two and added: "He and his partner are proud parents of another tiny tot."

He told the court his client was seeing a registered counsellor, taking part in 28 sessions since his arrest. Granted unconditional bail, he is next due to appear at the city's crown court on April 9.