KARL BERGER FROM PENRYN CAUGHT FILMING WOMEN IN YEOVIL TESCO STORE

In March 2019, Karl Berger, a 55-year-old resident of Rame Cross, Penryn, Cornwall, was apprehended for filming women’s skirts while shopping at a Tesco in Yeovil. Berger was found viewing the illicit footage on his laptop inside the store’s cafe after security personnel discovered him. He had been seen stalkings the supermarket aisles, using his mobile phone to secretly film women as they bent down or reached up for items on the shelves.

A male shopper inside the store observed Berger bending down and sweeping his shopping basket, which contained his mobile phone, underneath women’s skirts. Recognizing suspicious behavior, the shopper took photos of Berger in the act and alerted store security. Security personnel later found Berger in the cafe, where he was watching the recorded footage.

During police questioning, Berger admitted to the misconduct, describing his actions as “a silly boy” behavior that had been ongoing for some time. He pleaded guilty in court, admitting to acts of outraging public decency by filming women without their consent between February 13, 2017, and July 3, 2018, in Yeovil and other public locations. Additionally, he confessed to possessing approximately 8.95 grams of cannabis.

The court heard details from a witness who was shopping with his wife and young daughter at the Tesco at around 2:30 pm. The witness saw Berger close to a woman in the clothing section, holding a shopping basket. He observed Berger lean over and lower the basket under the hem of the woman’s dress, with the basket containing only a mobile phone. The witness believed Berger was taking photographs or recording. About fifteen minutes later, he noticed Berger in the fruit and veg aisle, still carrying the basket with his phone and a laptop. Berger was observed walking purposefully towards another female, lowering his basket under her skirt as well.

The witness took photos of Berger’s actions, which he showed to store security. The security team reviewed CCTV footage, confirming Berger’s suspicious behavior. He was seen attempting to follow another woman upstairs on the store’s travellator, holding his camera and later viewing videos on his mobile phone while in the cafe. When Berger noticed he was being watched, he tried to flee by running down the upward-moving escalator but was quickly detained.

During detention, Berger expressed remorse, stating, “I’ve been a silly boy. I did put my phone in my basket and took a surreptitious photo. It’s been going on for a while.” A subsequent police search of his home uncovered 8.95 grams of cannabis and some green vegetable matter.

The magistrates acknowledged the seriousness of the offense, emphasizing that it occurred in a crowded public space during a busy period. Defense lawyer Ray Peters noted that Berger’s device contained 17 recording clips and that his repeated offending was concerning. The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report by the Probation Service, with the possibility of a custodial sentence in mind. The court warned that Berger could be sent to Taunton Crown Court if necessary. Berger was released on unconditional bail and scheduled to return to court on April 2.