Man admits voyeurism after phone seen over toilet door

The incident happened at Cudmore Grove Country Park, on Mersea Island, in May.

The girl immediately alerted her father, who passed the information to park rangers, prompting Essex Police to launch an investigation.

Plain-clothes patrols were carried out by officers from the Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team in the weeks following the report.

Police said these enquiries led officers to identify a person they wanted to speak to as part of the investigation.

A man in his 20s was subsequently arrested at an address in Colchester in August, with a number of items and electronic devices seized for examination.

Following further enquiries and work with the Crown Prosecution Service, Daniel Fowler, 23, of Calway Road, Taunton, was charged on Friday, November 6, with voyeurism and outraging public decency.

Fowler appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday, November 7, where he admitted both offences.

He was released on conditional court bail and is due to be sentenced at Colchester Magistrates' Court on January 27, 2027.

Inspector Martin Willsher said: "Daniel Fowler's behaviour is deplorable and poses serious risk for women and girls.

"The work of our neighbourhood officers and the development of really targeted enquiries meant that Fowler could be identified and arrested."

He added: "I know a common thread for residents is that they do not always see visible police on their streets. However, this case shows that when we say, 'you might not always see us, but we are there', we truly mean that.

"Protecting women and girls in Colchester remains a significant priority and anyone who believes they can pose a threat to them is mistaken. We'll identify you and we'll take action."