Serial upskirter, 66, who loitered round Tube stations to take illicit photographs of ladies is spared jail

An Ecuadorean upskirter who loitered around Tube stations to take illicit pictures of women has been spared jail.

Luis Ortega, 66, targeted one victim while she was waiting for the Hammersmith and City Line at London Kings Cross on August 31, 2024.

When police seized his phone they discovered other photos taken up women’s skirt – including one at Liverpool Street station.

Ortega’s house was searched and police later found one Category A and two Category B images of children on his iPad.

The father-of-three was aided by a Spanish interpreter throughout his sentencing hearing at Inner London Crown Court.

Claire Langevad, prosecuting, said: ‘The victim was waiting for a train on the Hammersmith and City Line at London King’s Cross.

‘She became aware of male standing extremely close behind her, so much so that, she says, she could hear him breathing and could feel him moving closer.’

‘She felt a hand on the back of her thigh in what she describes as a slow stroking motion.’

‘She turned around, and when she saw what he was doing she said to him: “Oh my God, you’re taking a video up my skirt, delete it now”.’

Ortega claimed that he had only been filming the station, and pointed his camera towards the station floor.

When he was arrested, he initially denied any wrongdoing.

‘He maintained that it was a misunderstanding and that he was taking a photo of the station,’ Ms Langevad said.

But when police analysed the serial upskirter’s phone they found three further photos taken up women’s skirts – one on August 23 at Liverpool Street station, one the same day at King’s Cross, and another taken the next day.

Ortega later admitted what he had done.

Ms Langevad said: ‘When he was arrested and under caution he said sorry, and that what he had done was wrong. He said that his wife and family cannot know that he was arrested for that.’

Ortega’s home was searched and his devices were seized.

‘His iPad and phones were examined, and one Category A and two Category B indecent images of children were found,’ Ms Langevad added.

Mitigating for Ortega, Alec Williams said: ‘He has been in this country since 1995, so for twenty years or so working as a carpenter.’

Referring to a statement by Ortega, Mr Willams said: ‘The headline is that he feels ashamed for his actions. That is something that he reiterated in conference with me. He entered guilty pleas at an early stage in the proceedings.’

Sentencing, Judge Matthew Boyle referenced a statement made by the victim: ‘She says that she feels annoyed and disgusted and I’m not surprised. 

‘On any view this was creepy, intrusive and completely unacceptable behaviour. I am quite sure you wouldn’t want your wife or three daughters to be treated in this way.’

Referring to the images found on Ortega’s iPad the judge said: ‘Downloading images of children ends up fueling a demand for that sort of material, thereby endangering young people here and indeed around the world.

‘In pursuit of sexual gratification you have badly damaged your reputation.’

But he added: ‘These offences can be said to be entirely out of character. I have considered your letter to the court where you have expressed deep shame and regret for these offences.’

Referring to the pre-sentence report the judge added: ‘You apparently do have distorted ideas about sex and I think it is probably useful if work can be done to address those.’

Ortega was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He will also have to complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

And he was slapped with a ten year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and will be subject to notification requirements during that period.

The judge said to Ortega: ‘Make no mistake, if you commit any further offences you will be gong straight to prison.

‘I hope that you appreciate that nothing like this can ever happen again. I am giving you a chance here. It is the only chance you are going to get. If we end up meeting in circumstances like this again it is going to be extremely bad news for both of us but particularly I fear for you.

‘Have I made myself clear?’

‘Yes, I thank you very much’, Ortega replied.

Ortega, of Hallam Road in Tottenham, north London, admitted two counts of possession of indecent images of children, and four counts of recording an image under clothing without consent.