Man Jailed for Upskirting Over 20 Victims in Soho
James Manchand, a 62-year-old man, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after filming upskirting videos of more than 20 victims during a single evening in Soho, central London. The Metropolitan Police arrested Manchand on January 16 after officers, deployed under Operation Martello to target theft and violence against women, observed him acting suspiciously near queues outside West End venues. A search revealed he was a known offender with an active Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Upon inspecting his unlocked phone, police discovered 29 illicit videos recorded that night. Manchand was also convicted of breaching his SHPO by using VPN software to hide browsing history, an act prohibited by the order. He received concurrent sentences for the voyeurism offenses and SHPO breaches at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Detectives described his behavior as calculated and predatory, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting women from such violations. The case highlights ongoing police efforts to combat violence against women and girls in crowded public spaces.
Wire timeline
Man Jailed for Upskirting Over 20 Victims in Soho
James Manchand, a 62-year-old man, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after filming upskirting videos of more than 20 victims during a single evening in Soho, central London. The Metropolitan Police arrested Manchand on January 16 after officers, deployed under Operation Martello to target theft and violence against women, observed him acting suspiciously near queues outside West End venues. A search revealed he was a known offender with an active Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Upon inspecting his unlocked phone, police discovered 29 illicit videos recorded that night. Manchand was also convicted of breaching his SHPO by using VPN software to hide browsing history, an act prohibited by the order. He received concurrent sentences for the voyeurism offenses and SHPO breaches at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Detectives described his behavior as calculated and predatory, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting women from such violations. The case highlights ongoing police efforts to combat violence against women and girls in crowded public spaces.
The Standard