Ludlow pervert admits filming women with secret camera in laptop bag

Andrew MacRae, 43, was spotted by the detective inspector who was on his way to Scotland Yard placing the bag on a station platform and then on a train floor between the legs of unsuspecting victims.

When officers searched his home they discovered the married dad had also been secretly filming a female neighbour and house guest and had hoarded approximately 49,000 more images.

MacRae, of Caynham, Ludlow, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of outraging public decency between Clapham Junction and Vauxhall stations in London on July 19.

He also pleaded guilty at London’s Camberwell Green Magistrates Court to seven counts of voyeurism for the purpose of sexual gratification at what was his matrimonial home in Redhill, Surrey, between January 2, 2013 and February 28, last year.

MacRae, who has moved to his parents' home in Shropshire and is selling the Redhill house, was bailed to appear at Inner London Crown Court on November 7 for sentencing.

Miss Angela Mehadio, prosecuting, told the magistrates that the detective was on his way to work at 7.15am when he spotted MacRae on a platform.

She continued : “He had a black laptop bag on the floor, which was zipped-up and a black pen with gold trim poking out of it.

“The defendant seemed to be changing the angle of the bag, which he had placed between the legs of a blonde female wearing a red summer dress.”

She told the court that the officer followed MacRae onto the train and said : “He stood next to another female wearing a red dress and positioned his laptop bag on the floor between her legs.

“The officer had a clear view and was convinced MacRae was using the device to film females and that pen was some sort of recording device.

“He introduced himself as a police officer and showed his warrant card and the defendant said nothing.”

The victim did not even know she had been filmed between her legs and complained: “I think you’ve got it wrong here. He’s done nothing to me.”

However, MacRae was arrested and when his home was searched police found another camera pen, which he said he’d bought as a “gadget”.

“He admitted his intention was to film up skirts for personal and sexual gratification and he intended to upload the films when he got home,” added Miss Mehadio.

“He said he had started the behaviour two weeks before and that there were ten to fourteen victims and expressed remorse.”

MacRae did not enter pleas on two similar further counts of outraging public decency. A charge of stealing three items of underwear belonging to a woman at Live Nation, Bow Street, was dropped.