A man convicted of sexual offenses is set to be freed after pleading guilty to secretly recording footage underneath a teenager’s clothing at a shop in the city centre.
Rio Bunce, whose address was recorded as a prison facility near Bicester, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on a date in mid-April.
The man, aged 22, entered guilty pleas to three counts of attempted covert filming beneath clothing and one count of sexual assault relating to a separate matter.
The court was told that Bunce had existing convictions for four sexual assaults and one act of indecent exposure, for which he had received a suspended custodial term.
The prosecution outlined that on a date in early March, the complainant was shopping at a department store in the Westgate Centre in Oxford.
According to the prosecution, examination of his mobile phone revealed three recordings showing he tracked the complainant through the establishment. His device was positioned at a low level and tilted upward beneath her skirt. The clips were short, lasting no more than sixty seconds. The complainant had no knowledge of the recordings and provided no permission. They were created for his own sexual satisfaction.
The prosecution additionally explained that the sexual assault occurred on a date in May during the previous year. In this instance, the victim was also aged 16.
The court heard that Bunce met the complainant near an ice rink in Oxford and was subsequently invited to an open area near her residence alongside a group of her peers.
The prosecution described how he sought to engage her romantically but received no reciprocal interest. He then leaned across and placed his hand on her outer clothing.
The court was informed that Bunce sought to touch intimate areas, though she rebuffed his action and directed him to stop.
The defence counsel told the court that Bunce continues to be a young person. At the point of the covert filming offense, he was 20. There was no evidence suggesting the recordings were meant for sharing with others. Although some advance action was taken, the act itself was fundamentally impulsive within the store. He demonstrates sincere regret for his behavior.
The court was made aware that Bunce had arranged to go to America on a sporting scholarship.
Furthermore, he had been detained since October awaiting trial for these offenses and had served ten months on remand for his previous sexual assault convictions.
The presiding judge observed that he carries relevant and recent convictions for sexual matters. This demonstrates an ongoing sequence of sexual wrongdoing. He is a young person managing substantial physical and mental health difficulties.
Bunce received an eight-month prison term. However, the time already spent on remand was deemed to have satisfied this period, meaning his discharge is approaching.
He must also comply with sexual harm prevention conditions and registration duties for ten years and was subject to a five-year prohibition order preventing any contact with the sexual assault victim.
An order was also made for the confiscation and disposal of the mobile device used for the covert filming.