John Lewis Upskirting Offender to Be Released Soon

Rio Bunce, aged 22, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on April 17. He pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted upskirting and one count of sexual assault.

Incident at John Lewis, Westgate Centre

The court heard the upskirting incident occurred on March 8 inside John Lewis at the Westgate Centre. Officers found three short videos on Bunce’s phone showing he followed the complainant in the store.

Prosecutor David Parvin told the court the phone had been positioned low and angled upwards under the victim’s skirt. The clips lasted up to one minute and were taken without consent.

Separate sexual assault allegation

A second victim, also aged 16, reported a separate incident on May 10 last year. Bunce met her outside Oxford Ice Rink and followed her to a field near her home with friends present.

Mr Parvin said Bunce rubbed the girl’s trousers and attempted to touch her genitals. She pushed his hand away and told him to stop.

Court filings and previous convictions

Bunce has four prior convictions for sexual assault and one for exposure. He received a suspended sentence for those previous offences.

At sentencing, defence counsel Tamasin Graham said Bunce was 20 at the time of the upskirting. She told the court he was remorseful and had been set to move to America on a football scholarship.

Legal response and sentence

Judge Emma Nott KC described Bunce’s record as a continuing pattern of sexual offending. She noted he has significant medical and mental health difficulties.

The judge imposed an eight-month prison sentence. Bunce was held on remand since October, counted as time served, and is expected to be released soon.

Post-release measures

He must comply with notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. A five-year restraining order prevents contact with the sexual assault victim.

The court ordered forfeiture and destruction of the phone used to film the upskirting. Bunce’s listed address at court was HMP Bullingdon, near Bicester.

This report is published by Filmogaz.com.