Principe Antonio: Frenchs Forest man, 55 pleads guilty to 16 ‘upskirting’ charges

A man accused of filming up a 12-year-old girl’s dress, using a camera attached to his shoe, has pleaded guilty to 16 ‘upskirting charges’ in a Sydney court.

Principe Antonio, 55, of Frenchs Forest, outside Manly Local Court where he is facing multiple charges of filming a person's, including a 12-year-old girl’s, private parts without consent. Picture: Manly Daily

A serial “upskirter” accused of attaching a video camera to his shoe to film up a 12-year-old girl’s dress in a department store has pleaded guilty to 16 charges of filming without consent.

Principe Antonio, 55, has admitted to filming his victims at shopping centres in Warriewood and Chatswood during a three-month period last year.

In Manly Local Court on Wednesday, Antonio also pleaded not guilty to possessing child abuse material in the form of videos and photos.

His pleas come eight months after the Frenchs Forest man was arrested at Warriewood Square shopping centre on July 22, after he was seen filming the girl at Kmart.

After his arrest, police went to his home and uncovered a number of items linked to “upskirting”, which is defined as taking a photograph or video from a position that allows someone to look up a dress or skirt without the permission of the person wearing it.

Principe Antonio, 55, of Frenchs Forest, outside Manly Local Court. Picture: Manly Daily

Antonio was charged with 16 counts of filming a person’s private parts without consent over incidents which occurred over an almost three-month period beginning on May 1.

In relation to the 12-year-old girl at Kmart, Antonio was charged with producing child abuse material.

A 12-year-old girl was filmed at Warriewood Square shopping centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The material was described in court documents as two videos and eight photographs.

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

The charges are being prosecuted by the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions.

His Legal Aid solicitor said that Antonio was pleading guilty to all listed charges, except for producing child abuse material.

She said negotiations with investigating police about that charge were ongoing.

Antonio is currently on strict conditional bail.

Antonio will return to court in May. Picture: Manly Daily

The 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 a single 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 with him so it can be examined.

Magistrate Daniel Reiss adjourned all of Antonio’s matters to May 1.