JOSEPH FARAGE FROM ORPINGTON CAUGHT IN UPSKIRTING SCANDAL

Joseph Farage, the nephew of well-known political figure Nigel Farage, found himself at the center of a serious privacy violation incident that has garnered public attention. The incident occurred at the Orpington branch of Co-Op on July 17 of the previous year, where Farage was caught placing his mobile phone beneath a woman’s clothing with the explicit intent to record her without her knowledge. This act was not only invasive but also intended to humiliate the victim by capturing footage that could be shared maliciously.

Joseph Farage, aged 31 and a resident of Kent, owns an electrical business in the region. He was charged with the offence and subsequently pleaded guilty during a court appearance at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. The case was scheduled for sentencing on January 17, and the proceedings revealed the full extent of the legal response to his actions.

Despite the gravity of the offence, Farage was not required to register as a sex offender. Authorities clarified that because the victim was over the age of 18, automatic inclusion on the sex offenders register was not mandated under current laws. Instead, he was handed a financial penalty totaling £1,091, which encompassed a victim surcharge, prosecution costs, and compensation paid directly to the victim. No additional legal measures or restrictions were imposed on him following the sentencing.

This relatively lenient outcome has sparked controversy and debate, especially given Nigel Farage’s outspoken criticism of what he perceives as a two-tiered policing system that treats individuals differently based on their social or political standing. The incident also highlights the legal evolution brought about by the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which explicitly criminalized upskirting. Prior to this legislation, such acts were often prosecuted under different, less specific laws, making this case a notable example of the new legal framework in action.