NIGEL MATT OF PETERBOROUGH JAILED FOR UPSKIRTING AND CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AT QUEENSGATE
In a case that has shocked the local community, Nigel Matt, a 56-year-old man from Peterborough, has been sentenced to a total of 20 months in prison following his conviction for multiple serious offences related to voyeurism and the possession of indecent images of children.The incidents primarily took place within the Queensgate shopping centre, a popular retail hub in Peterborough, where Matt's disturbing actions targeted unsuspecting women and involved the use of covert filming devices.
On a day in May of this year, security personnel at Queensgate became suspicious of Matt’s behavior.
Witnesses reported that he was seen moving up and down the escalators in close proximity to women, some of whom were wearing skirts, while others were dressed differently.
What drew particular attention was the device he carried, which security described as resembling an old-fashioned gas lighter probe, typically used for lighting ovens.
However, in this case, it was equipped with an extendable camera lens, allowing him to secretly film women from beneath their skirts or in intimate areas.
Security guards observed Matt approach two women, an older woman and a younger woman, deliberately positioning himself very close to them.
They saw him raising the device and capturing images of the back of their thighs and crutch areas.
Recognizing the suspicious nature of his actions, the security personnel intervened and detained him while contacting the police for further investigation.
During police interviews, Matt initially made no comment.
Forensic analysis of the device he was carrying revealed that he had been using it for over a year, during which he targeted at least 34 women in various locations, including Peterborough and Bourne.
The footage recovered from the device confirmed his repeated voyeuristic behavior.
When confronted with the evidence, Matt admitted to the offences without hesitation.
His guilty pleas included charges of outraging public decency, eight counts of voyeurism, one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child, and one count of possessing an indecent image of a child.
It is important to note that only the charge of outraging public decency pertains specifically to the incident at Queensgate.
The other offences relate to activities carried out in Peterborough and Bourne.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Matthew Lowe expressed strong condemnation of Matt’s actions.
He stated, “These offences were committed for an entirely selfish desire for sexual gratification.
The desire overrode any regard of the impact on the victims of what you did.” The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the breach of trust involved, leading to the decision to imprison Matt for a significant period, ensuring he will spend the upcoming Christmas behind bars.
