Oleksndr Kopyeykin pleads guilty to secret recording up young woman’s skirt

An “ashamed” retired mechanical engineer has pleaded guilty to using his phone to record up a young woman’s skirt at a Logan chemist, Beenleigh court has heard.

Oleksndr Kopyeykin pleads guilty to recording the anal region of woman

A retired mechanical engineer has pleaded guilty to putting his phone up a young woman’s skirt and filmingher while she was shopping at a Logan chemist.

Oleksndr Kopyeykin, 63, originally from Ukraine, pleaded guilty to one count of visually recording the anal region of another person in breach of privacy.

Mr Kopyeykin appeared before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 10, 2024, where he was assisted by a Ukrainian translator.

Police prosecutor Kim Murphy said Mr Kopyeykin could have faced a maximum of three years’ imprisonment for his offending.

“The offence occurred at Chemist Warehouse at Shailer Park on February 7, 2024,” Sgt Murphy said.

“In a victim impact statement provided to police, the young woman said she was deeply disturbed by the defendant’s actions and she plans to move away from the area because of what happened.’’

Mr Kopyeykin’s lawyer said his client fled wartorn Ukraine in 2022. He was born and raised in the former Soviet Union, now Russia, which invaded Ukraine.

“He is deeply remorseful and is ashamed of his actions,” his lawyer said.

“He is educated to university level and studied mechanical engineering before being forced to take an early retirement due to medical issues.

“He has ongoing concern about how this will play out with the complainant.’’

Magistrate Gary Finger said Mr Kopyeykin’s actions had had significant impact on his victim.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. A psychologist report shows this has had an effect on you (but) are you are ashamed?” Mr Finger said.

“Fleeing the war affords you no excuse. People are entitled to go to the shops without people like you filming them.

“The courts won’t tolerate it and neither will the community.’’

Mr Kopyeykin was ordered to pay a $1000 fine. No conviction was recorded.