A university lecturer is facing a disciplinary probe after he was caught snooping on children at Perth Leisure Pool changing rooms.
Peter Ridges was seen lurking around the Glasgow Road facility – wearing just swimming shorts – during a Saturday night childrens’ disco.
He was caught on CCTV entering and leaving cubicles as he eavesdropped on youngsters while they changed into their swimwear.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the 59-year-old maths lecturer paid himself into the disco on February 9 2019 but never went into the water.
Staff called police when he returned almost exactly a year later and did the same thing.
He returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday, having previously pled guilty to two breach of the peace charges.
Prosecutors accepted there was no significant sexual element to the offences.
Eavesdropping habit
Sheriff William Gilchrist admonished Heriot-Watt University lecturer Ridges, partly because of his lack of criminal record.
“You have been assessed by a social worker and a psychologist as someone who poses no risk,” he said.
“It appears you may suffer from autism spectrum disorder and that may or may not explain your behaviour.”
The sheriff told Ridges: “The psychological report suggests you have a habit of eavesdropping on people’s conversations.
“You now understand that that is not appropriate and can lead – as it did on this occasion – to you causing concern to others.
“On this occasion, it led to you being charged with a criminal offence.”
He added: “Given your age and lack of previous convictions, I will admonish you but this will be on your record.”
University probe
Ridges, of Willow Tree Place, Edinburgh, now faces a further inquiry by Heriot-Watt University chiefs.
A spokesman for the Edinburgh institution said: “We acknowledge and respect the outcome of the sheriff court case involving a member of staff.
“As legal proceedings have now concluded, the university will formally consider this matter and take any appropriate internal action.”
It is understood Ridges has since been suspended from all student-facing activities.
Solicitor Gary McAteer told the court: “Mr Ridges’ behaviour was odd and he accepts that it would have seemed odd to others.
“At the time he was in his own universe and that could tie in with the diagnosis that he may be autistic.”
He said his client has suffered “heightened anxiety” while awaiting trial.
Staff alarmed by ‘odd’ behaviour
Staff at the pool said Ridges never went for a swim during his two visits, a year apart.
Reception worker Fiona Pallister, 44, told the trial: “It’s the kids’ disco on a Saturday night.
“It’s full of children with loud music.
“Not many people come in on their own.”
She told the court: “He said he was meeting somebody down in the leisure pool, so he wanted to go down there.
“He just asked for a swim. I just thought it was very odd.
“It wasn’t sitting right with me.”
She said a colleague had gone to check on him and noticed he never went into the pool.
“He was just in the changing rooms the whole time and round the toilets.
“He came up the stairs without his shoes on.
“He put his shoes on and left.”
Ms Pallister recognised Ridges when he came back a year later.
She called the police.
The court was told Ridges disappeared into a toilet when officers arrived and after “around ten minutes” officers went in to tell him to come out.
