A PERVERT has been locked up after taking more than 1,700 photos of women’s bottoms while walking around city centres.

Andrew Smoggie, also known as Mackie, captured the behinds of girls as young as 13 and elderly ladies as old as 70.

The actions of 52-year-old, of Latchford, would not be illegal for regular members of the public, a court heard.

However, his lengthy list of convictions for sexual offences saw authorities try to limit his ability to commit such crimes.

Smoggie was charged with two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and one of breaching a suspended sentence, and he appeared to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court on Wednesday, January 18.

Katherine Wright, prosecuting, told the court how on October 22, 2021, the defendant was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

One of the many conditions he must adhere to is one banning him from using his mobile phone to capture still or moving images of women he does not know in a public place.

On August 27 last year, at around 1.40pm, he was seen in Manchester city centre during Pride weekend by plain clothed police officers taking a number of photos of women walking past.

He was aiming his phone camera at their bottom, and they were not aware that he was taking a picture of them.

Officers approached him after growing suspicious and told him they had been watching him taking photos. He replied that it was not illegal to take photos in a public place, but he handed over his phone on request.

On examination, police found multiple images of women from behind focusing on their bottom, while a check also revealed that Smoggie was the subject of a SHPO.

Two phones were found in his possession, the first of which contained 348 images taken that day, August 27.

All of the women on them were fully clothed, predominantly between the ages of 18 and 25, however some were as young as 13 or 14, and some were aged between 60 and 70.

The second phone contained more than 1,400 similar photos of women in public places in Liverpool and Manchester.

During his police interview, Smoggie confirmed that he understood the terms of his SHPO, but he commented that it had ‘set him up to fail’ as it was ‘not illegal to take photos in public’.

Andrew Smoggie was jailed at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court

Andrew Smoggie was jailed at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court

He also claimed he had not taken them for sexual gratification, but confirmed he had the phones for the purpose of taking photos and admitted that he had breached his order by taking them.

The court heard how the images were not ‘indecent’ such as upskirting, for which the defendant has a previous conviction for.

He was given another chance by the court in October 2021 after he was caught by staff at Manchester Piccadilly train station taking pictures of a stranger's bare legs, crotch and up her skirt.

On that occasion, he again told officers he was in a public place and had photos of other women focusing on their legs and bottom.

He was handed a 24-week prison sentence suspended for two years, with these latest offences putting him in breach of that order.

Ms Wright revealed that Smoggie has 27 previous convictions for 36 offences, six of which are sexual offences, namely one for indecent assault, four for voyeurism and one for upskirting, while he has also breached his SHPO 11 times.

Describing his actions as ‘serious and persistent’, Ms Wright said: “It does not seem that any of the women were aware and caused distress, but it seems this is a matter of good luck.

“The breach risks serious distress if they had become aware.”

Defending his client, David Thompson said: “Ordinarily, it would not be unlawful or criminal behaviour for a person to use their mobile phone to take photos in public.

“It is easy to understand, but this defendant has a problem understanding that albeit the behaviour is not criminal for most people, it s only a criminal offence for him due to his previous convictions.”

He commented that Smoggie was compliant with officers’ request to see his phone, had not committed upskirting offences again and pleaded guilty at the first chance.

The barrister added that the defendant is not ‘without difficulties’, as he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, while he is also ‘very much a loner’ with no supportive friends or family.

Before sentencing, recorder Paul Reid said: “You say the photos were not for sexual gratification. If they were not, I do not know what they were for.”

Smoggie, of Thelwall Lane, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

An order was also approved for the forfeiture and destruction of the two mobile phones seized, while the indefinite sexual harm prevention order continues to run.