A man has been sentenced after detectives used CCTV footage to track him down following an upskirting offence in Cardiff city centre.
Police were called to St David’s 2 shopping centre on the morning of Monday, July 7, after a woman reported that an unknown man had filmed up her daughter’s skirt.
The man then ran away in the direction of Churchill Way.
South Wales Police said the suspect was tracked through CCTV footage to his car, which was parked in Fitzalan Road.
Further checks identified Alex Allegretto as a named driver of the vehicle. He was arrested at his home address in Maesteg four days later.
The 39-year-old admitted operating a mobile phone beneath the clothing of another person for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
Allegretto pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
He must register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for five years, complete 140 hours of unpaid work and undertake Rehabilitation Activity Requirements.
Officer in the case Sergeant Luis Antony, from South Wales Police, said:
“Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, and nobody should be subjected to this kind of offence.
“This incident continues to have an impact the victim. She is worried about people walking behind her and is anxious when out and about.
“Through extensive CCTV enquiries we were able to track the suspect before, during and after the offence.
“The footage clearly shows Alex Allegretto’s intentions and what he did to this young girl while she was innocently out shopping with her mother.
“We hope the outcome at court provides some comfort to her and allows her to rebuild her confidence.”
