Principe Antonio, 55: Frenchs Forest man hit with 17 ‘upskirting’ charges

A northern beaches man has faced court after allegedly using a camera attached to his shoe to film a 12-year-old girl under her skirt at a shopping centre.

Principe Antonio outside Manly Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Manly Daily

A man facing a string of “upskirting” charges has been photographed outside court for the first time since he allegedly used a video camera attached to his shoe to film up the skirt of a girl at a northern beaches department store.

Principe Antonio, 55, was arrested at Warriewood Square shopping centre after he was allegedly seen to film the 12-year-old girl in Kmart on July 22.

Antonio, of Frenchs Forest, is also accused of filming the private parts of up to 16 other alleged victims at Chatswood over a three-month period earlier this year.

After he was arrested, police went to his home where they uncovered a number of items allegedly linked to “upskirting” — defined as taking a photograph or video from a position that allows someone to look up a woman or girl’s dress or skirt, without that person’s permission.

Antonio appeared in Manly Local Court on Tuesday to face a charge of producing child abuse material in relation to the alleged incident at the Warriewood Kmart.

Principe Antonio, 55, leaves court on Thursday. Picture: Manly Daily

He has also been charged with 16 counts of filming a person’s private parts without consent.

In documents tendered to the court, police allege these 16 incidents occurred at Chatswood between May 1 and July 22.

Antonio has also been charged with three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.

Magistrate Lisa Stapleton was told that the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was still to decide whether it would prosecute the matters in the District Court, where higher penalties apply.

Antonio is yet to enter a plea to any of the charges.

His Legal Aid solicitor asked for an adjournment so she could view evidence and to allow the DPP to finalise its decision about prosecuting Antonio.

Antonio is on strict conditional bail.

Principe Antonio, 55, of Frenchs Forest.

His bail conditions include a ban on entering any shopping centre, playground, school ground or “any place where children may be”.

Antonio must not have a dashcam, or other device, in his possession that may be used for filming apart from one mobile phone and one laptop or tablet.

He also cannot possess, or have access to, an encrypted communication device, or possess or use an encrypted app, such as Hushmail and Signal.

Antonio is required to report daily to Dee Why Police Station and bring any laptop or tablet in his possession to the police station so it can be examined by police.

He is due back in court on October 29.