A peeping Tom who spied on two teenagers after making holes in a bathroom and bedroom door was spared prison this week.

John Fitzgerald’s cover was blown when the two girls suspected he was spying on them and set up a video camera to catch him in the act.

Fitzgerald, 35, of Sutton, admitted 13 charges of voyeurism and was handed a three-year community order, including a sex offenders treatment programme.

The former bus driver, who lost his job as a result of the offences, cried as Judge Nicholas Ainley sentenced him at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard one girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suspected Fitzgerald after noticing holes appearing in the bathroom door.

Prosecutor Mr Hamish Reid said she filled them in but more were made. At Christmas time one teenager noticed holes in her bedroom door.

Mr Reid said: “She told the other girl of her suspicions and they decided to work together to get some proof.

“They borrowed a video camera and set it up in a bedroom.

“They were in the house alone and she announced she was going to take a bath.

“Moments after going into the bathroom the defendant was seen looking through a hole in the door.”

The court heard Fitzgerald told police his behaviour was down to curiosity, “rather than a sexual motive”.

Defending, Mark Bagshaw said Fitzgerald had lost his job with a bus company as a result of the offences.

He said: “What he did has also affected his social life.

“He had spent some time at a working men’s club, but has been told he is no longer welcome there.

“He understands both the girls must have felt violated and abused.”

Judge Ainley said: “You are right to be ashamed of yourself. What you did was a dreadful breach of trust.

“You spied on them regularly, and prison would be entirely justified.”

However Judge Ainley said there would be little point in prison time if Fitzgerald repeated the offences on his release.

He said Fitzgerald would undergo a rehabilitation programme as part of his community order and supervision.

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