A TEENAGER has been placed on the sex offenders register for carrying out a “foolish and immature” plan to record women in a swimming pool changing room.

Alastair Wilson, formerly of Buxton Road, Coggeshall, now living in Tiptree, admitted pointing his camera under cubicle doors at Braintree Swimming Centre , in Charter Way, for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the 19-year-old was sexually frustrated when he visited the centre for a kayaking club meeting on March 11.

The court was told Wilson had arrived early at the leisure centre and had a camera with him as part of his club duties.

The electrician entered the mixed-use changing area at the pool and pointed the camera underneath a cubicle door, causing his female victim to scream.

When staff detained him, they found images of three other people on the camera, in similar situations.

All of the victims were adult and although they were described as doing a “private act” the court heard none of the images were “intimate” in nature.

The court heard the incident caused “considerable distress” to his victim, who has since changed her gym to limit the chances of meeting Wilson again.

Wilson immediately admitted the offence in his police interview, and pleaded guilty at an earlier court appearance.

Magistrates were told he had since moved from his family home out of shame and that he has experienced considerable anguish over his actions.

Sentencing Wilson, chairman of the bench Bill Carroll, said: “In anybody’s book, this is a horrendous offence.

“People should be able to expect to go to a swimming pool without someone trying to film them under the cubicle.”

Wilson was told he must sign the sex offenders’ register for the next five years and take part in a 50-day rehabilitation programme.

He was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation to one victim, a £60 victim surcharge and £235 costs.