ALEXANDER MEAL FROM ECCLES CAUGHT PEERING IN PUBLIC TOILET IN BURY

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the local community, Alexander Meal, a 67-year-old resident of Eccles, was found guilty of voyeurism following an unsettling event at Bury bus station in November of the previous year. The case brought to light the troubling behavior of a pensioner who used a hidden peephole in a public toilet to spy on a 17-year-old boy.

According to court proceedings, the young victim was using one of the cubicles when he noticed a small hole, approximately the size of a two pence coin, positioned at waist height. Upon peering through the opening, he was horrified to see Mr. Meal staring directly at him. The incident left the teenager feeling deeply disturbed and unsafe, prompting him to confront the perpetrator immediately.

The victim’s reaction was to shout and challenge Mr. Meal, which drew the attention of nearby staff. The young man then sought assistance from a staff member, and the police were called. Mr. Meal was promptly arrested at the scene. The court heard that the victim, who is now left feeling 'disgusted' by the experience, has become extremely cautious about using public toilets since the incident.

Prosecutor Dominic Howell described the emotional toll on the victim, stating, “The victim has been left feeling sick and totally degraded. He had to come to court for a trial and was asked some personal questions, which wasn’t pleasant.”

During the trial, Mr. Meal, of Shepway Close, Eccles, denied the allegations, claiming he was not spying on the young man. He explained that he suffers from incontinence, which he suggested might explain his presence near the toilet. However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of voyeurism.

In sentencing, Mr. Meal received an eight-week curfew, was ordered to pay £200 in costs, and £100 in compensation to the victim. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for five years, a measure intended to monitor and prevent future offenses. The case has raised concerns about the safety of public facilities and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from such invasive acts.