A 26-year-old man who admitted to hiding his phone in hair salon toilets to secretly record women has avoided a prison sentence.
Nathan Lam, of Allendale Close, Camberwell, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 14, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism.
Incident Details
Prosecutor Malacy Pakenham explained that Lam worked at a hair salon with multiple branches across central London. Between August and September, Lam’s phone was discovered on three occasions hidden under the sink in the public lavatories, with the camera pointed towards the toilet.
Several women who had used the toilet expressed their distress. One victim said:
“This incident made me feel very uncomfortable, on edge, and violated.”
Another added:
“I feel unsafe and violated as I could have been recorded, and images of me could be on the internet.”
Arrest and Investigation
Lam was arrested at his home on September 4, where police seized three phones. He admitted to police that he had placed the phones in the toilets, claiming it was a cry for help to address his mental health issues. He said he believed going to prison would be the only way to get the support he needed.
Despite his claims, a psychological report found that Lam’s mental health struggles did not directly influence his criminal behaviour. He had no prior convictions.
Court Ruling
District Judge Briony Clarke described Lam’s actions as “very serious” but stopped short of imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, she handed him an 18-month community order, which includes:
- 45 days of rehabilitation activity to address his behaviour and mental health.
- 200 hours of unpaid work.
Conclusion
The court emphasised the impact of Lam’s actions on his victims, who continue to feel unsafe and violated. Despite avoiding prison, Lam has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation in an effort to address his offending and prevent further harm.
