A predatory teenage shop assistant has been placed on the sex offenders register after targeting female customers.
Craig Hawick was working at Lidl, in Aberdeen’s Hutcheon Street, when a shopper spotted him taking illicit pictures of women without their knowledge.
The 19-year-old crouched down beside them and placed his mobile phone beneath their clothing.
His actions were, however, spotted by another customer and also captured on the store’s CCTV.
The matter was reported and, after disciplinary procedures were instigated, the teenager was sacked by the supermarket chain.
Hawick pleaded guilty to committing the offences – known as upskirting – at the shop on January 8 this year during an earlier appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
His solicitor, Paul Barnett, said Hawick now realised the “stupidity” of what he had done and had expressed remorse.
The court heard that was in a “stable relationship” as his girlfriend had supported him during court proceedings and the pair were now expecting their first child together.
Sheriff Philip Mann imposed a community payback order with a 12 month supervision requirement and ordered Hawick to attend a sex offenders programme.
He will remain on the sex offenders register for one year.