Menu
15/08/2012
Man Caught Spying On Chinese Swim Team Could Be Spared Jail
A man caught in the changing rooms trying to spy on the Chinese Olympic swimming team could be spared jail.
Declan Crosbie was caught peering over the top of cubicles after a woman reported seeing him entering changing rooms at a sports centre in Leeds.
Members of the Chinese team, who were training at the pool, also made a complaint after spotting the 25-year-old man.
When staff at the centre went to look for him, Crosbie hid in a cubicle and tried to answer them in a woman's voice.
He then came out and begged staff not to call the police before running away.
Crosbie, from Leeds, later handed himself in to police and pleaded guilty last month to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Crosbie was jailed for three years in 2009 after trespassing in a private home and being found standing over a sleeping student, whose trousers had been pulled down.
He also has convictions for voyeurism in 2005 and 2006.
Judge Peter Collier QC questioned if the case should be fast tracked under Olympic rules, but was told the defendant had not specifically targeted the Chinese swim team.
"This offence is technically an Olympic offence because the victims were members of the Chinese swimming team who were training at facilities here in Leeds,” the judge said.
Adding: "There's no suggestion you knew that's who they were and I'm satisfied the sight of any woman would do if she's in a state of undress."
The judge also heard that Crosbie should have taken part in a sex offenders’ programme while imprisoned in 2009, but had not been allocated a place.
He said: "It seems then that the most important thing that I can do for the public is try to ensure you do receive the treatment that you need.
"There's clearly no better prospect of you receiving that in prison now than there was in 2009."
The judge said a three -year community order, involving a period of residence in a bail hostel and participation in a sex offenders' treatment programme, would be an appropriate sentence.
However Crosbie would need to be assessed in a bail hostel for 28 days before the sentence could be passed.
The sentencing was adjourned until 17 September.
(H)
Declan Crosbie was caught peering over the top of cubicles after a woman reported seeing him entering changing rooms at a sports centre in Leeds.
Members of the Chinese team, who were training at the pool, also made a complaint after spotting the 25-year-old man.
When staff at the centre went to look for him, Crosbie hid in a cubicle and tried to answer them in a woman's voice.
He then came out and begged staff not to call the police before running away.
Crosbie, from Leeds, later handed himself in to police and pleaded guilty last month to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Crosbie was jailed for three years in 2009 after trespassing in a private home and being found standing over a sleeping student, whose trousers had been pulled down.
He also has convictions for voyeurism in 2005 and 2006.
Judge Peter Collier QC questioned if the case should be fast tracked under Olympic rules, but was told the defendant had not specifically targeted the Chinese swim team.
"This offence is technically an Olympic offence because the victims were members of the Chinese swimming team who were training at facilities here in Leeds,” the judge said.
Adding: "There's no suggestion you knew that's who they were and I'm satisfied the sight of any woman would do if she's in a state of undress."
The judge also heard that Crosbie should have taken part in a sex offenders’ programme while imprisoned in 2009, but had not been allocated a place.
He said: "It seems then that the most important thing that I can do for the public is try to ensure you do receive the treatment that you need.
"There's clearly no better prospect of you receiving that in prison now than there was in 2009."
The judge said a three -year community order, involving a period of residence in a bail hostel and participation in a sex offenders' treatment programme, would be an appropriate sentence.
However Crosbie would need to be assessed in a bail hostel for 28 days before the sentence could be passed.
The sentencing was adjourned until 17 September.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 July 2005
Blair in Singapore ahead of Olympic vote
Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Singapore today, engaging in last minute campaigning for London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Mr Blair is due to meet between 20 and 30 members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for one-to-one meetings on Monday and Tuesday.
Blair in Singapore ahead of Olympic vote
Prime Minister Tony Blair is in Singapore today, engaging in last minute campaigning for London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Mr Blair is due to meet between 20 and 30 members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for one-to-one meetings on Monday and Tuesday.
19 March 2014
Hull University Concerned About Student In Malasya Plane
The University of Hull has said it is deeply concerned about reports one of its postgraduate students could have been a passenger on the missing Malasya Airlines flight. The 26-year-old passenger Yue Wenchao was one of the 153 Chinese nationals on board the flight carrying 239 passengers and crew that went missing without a trace on 8 March.
Hull University Concerned About Student In Malasya Plane
The University of Hull has said it is deeply concerned about reports one of its postgraduate students could have been a passenger on the missing Malasya Airlines flight. The 26-year-old passenger Yue Wenchao was one of the 153 Chinese nationals on board the flight carrying 239 passengers and crew that went missing without a trace on 8 March.
06 August 2009
Alternative Medicines Face Regulation
A consultation on whether, and if so, how practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine should be regulated was launched this week by the Department of Health. At present, there is no statutory regulation of practitioners who offer acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in the UK.
Alternative Medicines Face Regulation
A consultation on whether, and if so, how practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine should be regulated was launched this week by the Department of Health. At present, there is no statutory regulation of practitioners who offer acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in the UK.
15 December 2004
China pledges more aid to UN world food programme
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and China have marked 25 years of partnership with a landmark agreement that will see increased Chinese funding and expertise used to assist the UN deal with global hunger.
China pledges more aid to UN world food programme
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and China have marked 25 years of partnership with a landmark agreement that will see increased Chinese funding and expertise used to assist the UN deal with global hunger.
18 May 2011
First Olympic Torch Relay Locations Announced
From Lands End to London via all the nations and regions of the UK, the first locations on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route have been announced.
First Olympic Torch Relay Locations Announced
From Lands End to London via all the nations and regions of the UK, the first locations on the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route have been announced.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
