Hong Kong art student who spent two years 'upskirting' women on the London Underground is spared jail - as his mother says she will keep 'watchful eye' on him in their home country and not let him return to UK

An art student who spent two years upskirting women on the London Underground has been spared jail and will return to live in Hong Kong under the 'watchful eye' of his mother.

Wui Tung Colin Chan, 22, from Hong Kong, was caught covertly filming underneath women's clothing, capturing 11 videos of buttocks, genitalia and intimate clothing.

His crimes were discovered in March this year when a victim spotted him filming up her skirt on an escalator at London's Victoria Underground Station and bravely carried out a citizen's arrest.

Chris Hewertson, prosecuting, said the woman was leaving the station when she 'noticed out of the corner of her eye that her skirt was moving.'

Mr Hewerston said: 'She turned and saw him with his phone held out palpably trying to get the phone under her skirt, she noticed the screen facing upwards with the camera setting on.

Wui Tung Colin Chan, 22, from Hong Kong, was caught covertly filming underneath women's clothing, capturing 11 videos of buttocks, genitalia and intimate clothing

'Acting with commendable speed and courage she took hold of the defendant's hand and told him to 'come with me'.

'She took him to underground staff where she gave a summation of what took place and police were called.

'She told police 'at no point did he attempt to get away from me and he remained until police arrived, when I held his hand I could feel him shaking with nervousness. He was looking at his phone and said I'm late for school''.

The second year graphic art student, who 'goes by the name of Colin', was found with videos of 11 other women, three whom he 'followed around transportation networks.' 

Chan 'successfully' captured the 'buttocks, genitalia or underwear' of five women and tried to upskirt the other six resulting in footage 'of tights and that sort of clothing,' said Mr Hewertson.

His crimes were discovered in March this year when a victim spotted him filming up her skirt on an escalator at London's Victoria Underground Station

He also had more than 300 extreme pornographic videos including depictions of rape and bestiality.

Chan, who appeared at London's Old Bailey for sentencing, told probation worker Patrick Acres he 'viewed it as a victimless crime because the women were unaware he had taken the picture.

'He said the first time he did this he got an adrenaline rush and put aside the consequences of his offending,' Mr Acres said.

'This became an obsession over a prolonged period of time.

'When he got arrested he said he was very very scared.

'He said he has now told his mother about this but didn't originally because the shame was too great.

'She has decided he will stay in Hong Kong and not return to the UK. He will complete his studies under her "watchful eye" as he put it.'

David Wood, defending, said he was 'a naïve young man who has become obsessed with this sort of behaviour.'

Judge Nigel Seed told Chan: 'On the 16 March you indulged in offensive, obscene and to the victim distressing behaviour. She is to be commended for her presence of mind in seizing hold of you and making sure you were apprehended.

'When you were apprehended it was discovered that it wasn't the first time you had done this there were other similar images on your telephone and other equipment as well as images of extreme pornography.

'You are full of shame for what you have done. So much so you couldn't bring yourself to tell your mother at first.

'You have since realised these were not victimless crimes.

'I hope this has been a sufficient shock to you that you will make sure you will not indulge in this sort of behaviour again.'

The judge added he did not see 'the number of images and the period over which you offended as aggravating features' as the prosecutor suggested.

Chan began spying on 'at least 11' victims in May 2018 and was caught by the woman in March 2020.

He admitted two counts of operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent and two counts of attempting to record images under clothing without consent.

He also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images portraying rape and intercourse with an alive animal.

Chan was given a 12-month community order and told to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work as well as having to register as a sex offender for 5 years.