Perthshire Man Barred from Romantic Relationships After Secretly Filming Neighbor

Andrew Thomas, 49, at Perth Sheriff Court

A Perthshire man who secretly filmed his neighbor for six months by hiding a camera inside a vase has been banned from entering into any new romantic relationships without first notifying social workers. Groundskeeper Andrew Thomas, 49, was found guilty of covertly recording his 65-year-old neighbor after surreptitiously entering her home multiple times between January 29 and July 29, 2023.

Thomas, who built a rapport with the woman while living in the same village near Pitlochry, concealed a mobile phone camera among artificial flowers in her bedroom. He recorded more than 40 hours of illicit footage showing the woman in various states of undress. His actions came to light when the victim discovered the hidden device while adjusting the vase.

Sheriff Alison McKay placed Thomas on the Sex Offenders Register for five years and sentenced him to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service. He was also placed under the supervision of social services for two years and given a six-month evening curfew at the Perth homeless unit where he now resides after losing his job.

Sheriff McKay expressed concern about the case, emphasizing the severity of the privacy violation. She stated, "The circumstances of the offence are quite concerning and involve a violation of the complainer's home and her privacy. I'm not certain whether it's made better or worse that she was someone you befriended, rather than a stranger."

The court heard from fiscal depute Rachel Hill that the victim lived alone in a small rural village where residents often leave their homes unsecured, contributing to Thomas’s ability to repeatedly enter undetected. Thomas was eventually caught inside the woman’s home by her daughter and partner, leading to his confession. He admitted to having romantic feelings for the woman and acknowledged filming her without her knowledge.

Thomas had previously committed a similar offense a decade ago while working on an oil rig, further highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior.