Alex Allegretto, 39, from Maesteg, South Wales, has been sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on August 5 after admitting to operating a mobile phone beneath the clothing of a young girl for sexual gratification. The offence occurred on the morning of July 7, 2026, inside the St David's 2 shopping centre in Cardiff, where the girl was shopping with her mother.
Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The mother spotted Allegretto walking closely to her daughter before placing his mobile phone under her skirt. When challenged, he ran away towards Churchill Way. Police-released footage shows the mother confronting him as he fled the scene.
Allegretto then went to his car parked nearby on Fitzalan Road, providing detectives with a trail. Further checks identified him as a named driver on the vehicle, and he was arrested at his home address in Maesteg four days later.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
Sergeant Luis Antony from South Wales Police said: "Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, and nobody should be subjected to this kind of offence." He added that extensive CCTV enquiries allowed officers to track the suspect before, during, and after the offence.
Allegretto pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 140 hours of unpaid work, must complete Rehabilitation Activity Requirements, and must register with the police for five years under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Impact on the Victim
Sergeant Antony noted: "This incident continues to have an impact on the victim. She is worried about people walking behind her and is anxious when out and about." He expressed hope that the court outcome provides some comfort and allows her to rebuild her confidence.
South Wales Police praised the CCTV work, stating: "Excellent CCTV work by detectives resulted in this person being brought to justice for upskirting in Cardiff city centre. We follow up as many investigative options as possible, including CCTV, to trace those responsible for committing crime and to get justice for victims."
Legal Context
Upskirtng became a criminal offence in England and Wales in April 2019 after campaigning by victims. The case highlights the use of CCTV in bringing offenders to justice and the ongoing impact of such offences on victims.
