A Sainsbury’s shop worker who followed young girls to take pictures up their skirts along the toy aisle has avoided jail.

Paedophile Miles Fraser was working at Sainsbury’s, Benfleet, when he was caught by a customer crouching behind two young girls and taking inappropriate pictures with his mobile phone.

Fraser, 26, formerly of Benfleet but now living in Canterbury, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday to be sentenced after admitting taking an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of outraging public decency.

Meyrem Flint, prosecuting, said: “In the afternoon the customer entered Sainsbury’s to do some shopping.

“She heard the sound of a camera clicking which caused her to look round down the toy isle.

“She then noticed an employee crouched down near two little girls aged between seven or eight-years-old.

“She stated she continued to watch the man and said he continued to follow the girls and was taking photographs up the skirts.

“The customer went to get a security officer but could not find one so she then approached the defendant and asked if she could have a word with him.”

The court heard he admitted making a mistake and became anxious.

Ms Flint said: “When asked if he had done this before he said ‘yes once. I don’t know why’.”

Fraser was arrested by police and his phone was seized.

On the device, officers found a folder called “favourites” which contained 23 similar videos including footage of him filming up children’s skirts while they were unaware.

There were also 78 other inappropriate images.

Fraser received a three year community order which requires him to complete a sex offenders programme and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He must sign the sex offenders’ register and was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

An NSPCC spokesperson for the East of England said: “Fraser’s offences were disturbing and brazen and involved targeting children in a public setting. It is absolutely vital that he completes his treatment programme to lessen any risk he poses in the future.

“This sort of behaviour by an adult can have a huge impact on the children who experience it and we hope his young victims are receiving any support they need. 

“Child protection is everyone’s responsibility and credit must be given to the member of the public who confronted and reported Fraser for his shocking actions.”

Any adult who is concerned about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s Helpline any time on 0808 800 5000.