A grandfather took pictures of a woman’s bottom while she was shopping, a court heard.

John McDonald, 70, was in Tesco at Tovil, Maidstone, when he spotted the victim bending over to pick up groceries.

The married tradesman was seen on CCTV, and by people in the store, walking past the woman and doing a double take.

He then took his phone out and, standing close to the victim, placed it under her tunic-like top before continuing with his shopping. He later told police he “liked the way her legs looked”.

The woman, who was wearing leggings, was unaware of McDonald’s actions but was told what had happened by staff and shoppers at the Farleigh Hill store.

He was tracked down using his debit card details and arrested, and later admitted to police he had done the same thing five times before.

Appearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the father-of-three, of Salts Lane, Loose, near Maidstone, admitted outraging public decency.

“Why at this time of his life is he resorting to behaviour like this?” - Pam Young, probation service

At a previous hearing he had denied the offence - which happened on February 13 last year - claiming his photos were no different to pictures often taken by the paparazzi.

Lorrayne Synmoir, prosecuting, told the court the victim had been left with trust issues, she finds herself constantly looking over her shoulder, and has not returned to the store.

Geoff Playford, defending, said McDonald, who has been married for 47 years, had never been in trouble before and his actions were completely out of character.

He added police seized his phone, tablet and laptop and were unable to find the photo or anything similar.

After preparing a pre-sentence report, Pam Young, for the probation service, asked: “Why at this time of his life is he resorting to behaviour like this?”

She added while he initially denied the offence was sexually motivated, he did eventually admit it was and asked magistrates to impose a punishment which addressed the behaviour.

Chairman of the bench Anne Lightbody sentenced McDonald to a 12-month community order to incorporate 60 hours of unpaid work and 30 one-on-one rehabilitation sessions.