Courtroom guard who filmed women lawyers is spared jail

A FORMER Reliance guard who used a mobile phone to secretly film his pregnant neighbour and female lawyers at the court where he worked has walked free from court.

Geoffrey Mark stalked 13 women at Glasgow Sheriff Court including lawyers, prosecutors, court officials and colleagues.

The 47-year-old used his mobile phone to film his victims’ faces, legs and bodies over two years.

He was only caught last September when he was spotted filming two sisters shopping in his home town of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

A member of the public saw him acting suspiciously outside a Tesco store.

Police then discovered a hoard of photos and videos, mostly taken in court.

However, Mark’s most serious offences were against one of his neighbours whom he spied on for six years. It included occasions when she was naked inside her home and when she was pregnant.

Mark left Reliance after his arrest and pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Airdrie Sheriff Court to 16 charges involving a total of 17 women.

Yesterday, he was ordered to perform 160 hours of community service and was put on probation for three years. He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for three years and banned from keeping a computer or camera.

Yesterday, defence advocate Tony Lenahan QC said Mark had brought shame upon himself and had used his camera in court out of boredom.

He added: “He has a positive work history which he has now lost. He has extensive experience in courts and he knows where the steps downstairs lead to.

“He has brought shame to himself and his household.

“His good character has been shattered as well as his working years by his own conduct.”

Prosecutor Ann Francis Hilley earlier told how Mark had filmed his neighbour.

She said: “He filmed her in the garden area, clothed in swimwear, filmed her outside her house, while she was pregnant and repeatedly filmed her in a state of undress.

All of these images were stored on his mobile phone.”

His lawyer victims were four criminal solicitors, two advocates and one procurator fiscal depute. Others included three sheriff clerk deputes, a court worker and two Reliance colleagues.

He secretly filmed a solicitor within the court on various occasions.

Mark filmed her face, clothed ‘hinder parts’, legs and feet, and on one occasion, within the cell area of the court, filmed her conversation with a client and stored the images on his phone.

Sentencing Mark, Sheriff Frank Pieri said: “These offences all include a breach of trust of your neighbours, of the court, and of your colleagues.

“Having said that, this is your first offence and you have a good work record. I am satisfied a direct alternative to custody is suitable.”

Mark refused to comment as he left court.

The Scotsman told yesterday how a new anti-stalking law had failed to stem the offences.