Man Jailed for Filming Under Women’s Clothing in Liverpool Bar 2026

Key Points

• Ryan Shead, 33 from Anstey Road in Liverpool has been sent to jail for 20 months.
• Shead used a phone to film under women’s clothes in a bar located in the center of Liverpool.
• Security workers told the police about the incident that happened on Wood Street.
• Officers arrived around 1:10am on Thursday, July 16.
• Shead faced charges of taking pictures under clothes to look at someone without their permission.
• He was also charged with breaking a harm prevention order.
• The case was handled at Liverpool Crown Court.
• Detective Inspector Jemma Berry said the actions were “completely unacceptable.”
• Merseyside Police thanked the security workers at the bar for helping catch Shead
• Police said stopping violence against women and girls is still very important.
• Merseyside Police also mentioned nine Halo Points in the center of Liverpool as places for people who feel unsafe or, in danger.

Liverpool City Centre Crime (Liverpool standard) August 15, 2026 – After using his mobile phone to film under the clothing of women in a city-centre bar. The 33-year-old, of Anstey Road, Liverpool, was convicted of three counts of recording images under clothing to observe another person without consent and one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The incident came to police attention after security staff at the bar reported a man using his mobile phone to film women. Officers were flagged down on Wood Street in Liverpool city centre at about 1.10am on Thursday, July 16.

Shead was detained by officers and later charged with the four offences. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, where he received a 20-month prison sentence.

What happened at the Liverpool bar?

Security staff at a bar on Wood Street alerted police after reports that Shead was using his mobile phone to record women beneath their clothing.

The officers were flagged down at approximately 1.10am. Merseyside Police said the quick response from security staff enabled officers to attend and detain Shead promptly.

The details provided by police do not identify the venue or the women involved. They also do not state whether the recordings were shared, published or retained on Shead’s device.

Shead was charged with three counts of recording images under clothing for the purpose of observing another person without consent. The charges relate to the non-consensual filming of women beneath their clothing.

He was also charged with one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The details of the restrictions attached to that order have not been provided.

What sentence did Ryan Shead receive?

Ryan Shead was jailed for 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court.

The sentence followed convictions for three offences involving the recording of images under clothing without consent and one offence involving a breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

The information released by Merseyside Police does not state whether Shead pleaded guilty or was convicted following a trial. It also does not provide the judge’s sentencing remarks or explain the individual sentence imposed for each offence.

No further information has been provided about any additional requirements that may apply after Shead’s release. The confirmed sentence is a total of 20 months in prison.

What did Detective Inspector Jemma Berry say?

Detective Inspector Jemma Berry said Shead’s conduct was “totally unacceptable”.

She credited the security staff at the bar with helping police act quickly.

“Shead’s behaviour was totally unacceptable but thanks to the quick thinking of the security staff in the bar our officers were able to promptly detain him,” Berry said.

Her statement emphasised the importance of venue staff in identifying suspected offending and contacting police. The officers’ response followed the report made by security personnel on Wood Street.

Berry also said Merseyside Police remained committed to keeping Liverpool city centre and its night-time economy safe.

“Keeping our city centre and night-time economy as a safe place remains a priority for Merseyside Police as is tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG),” she said.

The force’s reference to VAWG places the case within its wider work addressing conduct that can make women feel unsafe in public spaces and entertainment venues.

How can people report suspicious behaviour?

Detective Inspector Berry encouraged anyone who witnesses suspicious or inappropriate behaviour to report it.

“We would continue to encourage anyone who witnesses any suspicious or inappropriate behaviour to report it to bar or security staff or to the police,” she said.

The advice applies to people who see someone apparently filming others, behaving in a sexually inappropriate way or causing concern in a venue.

People can alert bar staff or security officers if they are inside a venue. They can also contact the police, particularly where an incident is taking place, someone is at immediate risk or staff are unavailable.

Berry said police would respond to reports and pursue offenders where there is evidence of criminal conduct.

“We will take action to bring offenders to justice,” she said.

The case involving Shead demonstrates how a report by venue security staff can lead to police intervention, arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.

What are Liverpool’s Halo Points?

Merseyside Police said it launched Halo Points earlier in the year as designated safe spaces across key locations in Liverpool city centre.

There are nine Halo Points in total. According to the force, they are well-lit and highly visible.

The points are intended to support anyone who feels unsafe or believes they may be at risk. They provide a place where people can seek immediate support, reassurance and practical help.

Berry said the visibility of the points could also deter offenders.

“Earlier this year we launched Halo Points – designated safe spaces located across key locations within Liverpool city centre,” she said.

“There are nine points in total, which are well-lit and highly visible.”

“They provide a place where anyone who feels unsafe, or at risk can seek immediate support, reassurance and practical help.”

“Their visibility also acts as a deterrent to offenders.”

The information released by police does not list the nine locations or explain which organisations are responsible for staffing them.

Why was the security response significant?

Security staff are often the first people available to respond when an incident occurs inside a bar or other night-time venue.

In this case, staff reported the suspected filming and flagged down police officers on Wood Street. That allowed officers to respond while the incident was still closely connected to the venue.

A quick report can help police identify a suspect, preserve relevant evidence and speak to potential witnesses. It can also allow venue staff to support people affected by the incident and prevent further unwanted conduct.

Merseyside Police’s account does not provide details about any phone examination, witness statements or other evidence used during the prosecution. Those matters were not included in the information supplied.

The force’s comments nevertheless underline the importance of reporting concerns rather than ignoring them. A witness may not know whether conduct amounts to an offence, but venue staff or police can assess the circumstances.

What does the case mean for Liverpool’s night-time economy?

The sentence sends a clear legal warning that filming beneath someone’s clothing without consent can result in imprisonment.

For people visiting Liverpool’s bars and clubs, the case highlights the options available when they witness or experience suspicious conduct. They can approach security staff, speak to bar employees or contact the police.

For venues, the incident reinforces the need for staff to remain alert to the misuse of mobile phones and to respond quickly when customers raise concerns.

Merseyside Police linked the prosecution to its wider priority of tackling violence against women and girls. The force also promoted Halo Points as part of its approach to making Liverpool city centre safer.

The police statement does not claim that this case represents a wider increase or decrease in offences involving non-consensual filming. It confirms only the circumstances of Shead’s arrest, charges and sentence, together with the force’s broader safety measures.

What remains unknown about the prosecution?

The information released by Merseyside Police confirms Shead’s name, age, address, charges, sentence and the location and approximate time of the incident.

It does not identify the bar, the women who were allegedly filmed or the number of recordings found. It also does not state whether the recordings were distributed or whether any victim required further support.

The details of the sexual harm prevention order breach have not been disclosed. The statement does not explain which condition Shead allegedly breached or when the order was imposed.

The court’s sentencing remarks, Shead’s plea, any previous convictions and the evidence presented at Liverpool Crown Court have also not been included.

Those details should not be assumed. Further information would need to come from court records, a subsequent police statement or an authorised report of the proceedings.

Background: What are Halo Points intended to provide?

Merseyside Police launched Halo Points as designated safe spaces in key parts of Liverpool city centre.

The force says there are nine points, each intended to be well-lit and visible. They are designed for anyone who feels unsafe or at risk and needs immediate support, reassurance or practical assistance.

Their stated purpose is to provide a visible place to seek help during activity in the city centre and night-time economy. Police also say that their presence may deter offenders.

Halo Points are part of the wider public-safety response referenced by Detective Inspector Jemma Berry. They do not replace emergency police assistance where someone faces an immediate danger.

Prediction: How could the sentence affect people using Liverpool bars?

The 20-month sentence is likely to encourage people who witness suspected non-consensual filming to report it quickly to venue security or police. It may also increase awareness that apparently hidden or discreet phone recording can lead to serious criminal consequences.

Bars and clubs may respond by reminding security teams how to handle reports involving mobile phones, protect potential evidence and support customers who feel targeted. Greater awareness could lead to earlier interventions before alleged behaviour continues or escalates.

For women visiting Liverpool’s night-time economy, the availability of security staff and Halo Points may provide additional routes to immediate support. The practical effect will depend on how consistently venues respond and how accessible the nine safe spaces are.

The case is unlikely, by itself, to establish a wider trend in such offences. Its clearest impact is the public reminder that recording under women’s clothing without consent is treated as criminal conduct and can result in a substantial prison sentence.