ADRIAN GRACE FROM SALFORD ESCAPES PRISON AFTER ILLEGAL TOILET SURVEILLANCE AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT
In August 2023, a disturbing case involving Adrian Grace, a resident of Salford, unfolded at Manchester Crown Court, revealing a pattern of voyeuristic behavior that spanned several years and locations.Grace, aged 54, was caught in a highly invasive act at Manchester Airport, specifically within the toilets of Terminal 2 arrivals, an incident that took place on December 8 of the previous year.
Despite the severity of his actions, he was ultimately given a chance to avoid immediate imprisonment, though with strict conditions and ongoing monitoring.
According to court proceedings, Grace entered the airport toilets carrying two mobile phones around 11 a.m.
on that day.
Prosecutor Tobias Collins detailed how Grace positioned himself inside a cubicle, waiting for a victim to enter the adjacent stall.
Once someone was inside, Grace allegedly slid one of his phones beneath the dividing wall to secretly record the individual without their knowledge.
During the incident, a victim confronted Grace, asking, “are you taking pictures of me?” to which Grace responded, “no I’m not.” Following this exchange, Grace was accused of moving to another cubicle while the victim searched the area in an attempt to locate him.
Unable to find Grace, the victim contacted police, who responded swiftly and arrested him at the scene.
The authorities confiscated both phones, which were later examined for evidence.
Investigators uncovered hundreds of videos stored on Grace’s devices, dating back to January 2019 and continuing up to the day of his arrest.
These videos included footage taken in public places, with a significant number filmed at Manchester Airport, as well as trips abroad to Romania and Belgium.
Grace’s criminal record is extensive, with eight previous convictions related to similar offenses.
His history includes two voyeurism convictions in 2007, an ASBO issued in October 2013 due to his behavior, and additional convictions in November 2014 and May 2018.
Court records reveal that all these cases involved Grace entering public bathrooms to record unsuspecting individuals.
His repeated offenses demonstrate a troubling pattern of invasive voyeurism, which has persisted over many years.
On May 15 of this year, Grace was arrested again at Manchester Airport, this time around 7:10 a.m., while on bail for previous charges.
During police interviews, Grace admitted to the offenses, explaining that he had been drinking heavily the night before and was unsure how he ended up at the airport.
He confessed that he took the videos for his own sexual gratification, fully aware that his actions were wrong.
Grace expressed feelings of self-disgust and acknowledged his inability to control his impulses.
A victim’s statement, read aloud during the court hearing, conveyed the emotional toll of Grace’s actions.
The individual stated, “I will now feel nervous and have to check the toilets every time I use them.
I will be very wary from now on.
I don’t know who this person is.” The victim also expressed distress over the fact that Grace had obtained intimate photos without permission, describing the situation as “very disturbing.” Grace pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism at Manchester Magistrates Court on May 16, covering offenses committed between January 23, 2019, and May 15 of this year.
His case was subsequently transferred to Manchester Crown Court for sentencing.
The court was informed of his criminal history, which includes multiple convictions for similar voyeuristic acts, highlighting a persistent pattern of offending.
His record includes convictions from 2007, 2013, 2014, and 2018, with some cases involving the issuance of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).
During sentencing, the judge acknowledged that Grace’s latest offenses were part of a long-standing pattern, breaching his previous court orders and demonstrating a blatant disregard for the privacy of others.
The judge described Grace as a voyeur who “does not appear to respect the privacy of fellow human beings” and who “does not seem to understand the seriousness of court orders.” At the hearing, Grace, dressed in a grey suit with a red tie and sporting spiked short hair, was visibly emotional.
He wept as he expressed gratitude to the court after being informed he would not face immediate imprisonment.
Judge Field KC noted the presence of approximately 400 videos on Grace’s phone and remarked on the alarming number of offenses, stating, “There are far too many of them.” While acknowledging Grace’s efforts to address his behavior since being released on bail, the judge emphasized that this was his “last chance.” Grace was sentenced to a six-month prison term, suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offenses.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs of £510 and undergo alcohol monitoring for 60 days.
As the judge concluded the hearing, he expressed hope that Grace would not be seen in court again under similar circumstances, saying, “I sincerely hope that we never meet again, at least not in these circumstances.”
