Voyeur doctor jailed for secret filming in bathroom

A doctor who claimed he hid cameras to film friends and colleagues in the bathroom due to concerns over the size of his penis has been jailed for 18 months.

Anaesthetist Ju Young Um hid the recording devices in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom and spare bedroom of his flat in Glasgow's west end and in staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Um, 34, claimed he recorded 30 different people and used the footage to compare himself to other men. He was later diagnosed as having a form of body dysmorphia.

A jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found him guilty of a total of 23 charges under the Sexual Offences Act, committed between November 2020 and August 2023.

In his evidence, Um said he was diagnosed with "suspected gigantism" when he was a teenager which was "possibly" why he had a "small penis."

A total of 21 men and nine women, four of whom were doctors, were filmed by Um over almost three years.

Um initially recorded his first victim in secret through a window as he showered, using a mobile phone.

He later attached a camera to a smoke alarm of the fellow's doctor's bedroom at the hospital, during which he filmed intimate footage of the man and his partner.

Another doctor said he felt "shocked and betrayed" after he was filmed using the toilet at Um's home in Glasgow's Hyndland area after going for dinner.

A further medic had nine recordings made of him showering and using the toilet over a three-month period.

Um rented out a room in his flat on AirBnB.

He was caught when one victim became suspicious of two air fresheners which appeared to be facing the toilet and the shower.

A third camera was later found inside the smoke alarm.

Police seized the cameras along with a mobile phone, laptop and storage device which contained recordings of several individuals.

Um said he did not seek medical help until 20 years after being diagnosed with suspected gigantism, but was only diagnosed with body dysmorphia after he was arrested.

He was later suspended from his work as a doctor.

His lawyer told the sentencing that his client was aware of the "harm and distress he has caused his victims," and acknowledged his crimes were "morally wrong".

Sheriff Owen Mullan told Um his actions had met the threshold for a custodial sentence.

He also placed Um under supervision for nine months upon his release from prison and put him on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Sheriff Mullan said: "Your victims were friends, colleagues and some who rented a room from you - they were unaware of your activities.

"Jurors heard of the shock and distress suffered by some of your victims.

"Because of the gravity of this offence, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal."

Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: "Ju Young Um carried out these invasive offences in a calculated and premeditated manner.

"He abused a position of trust to significantly violate the privacy of numerous individuals for his own sexual gratification.

"I give thanks to all those involved in securing this prosecution, which has held Um accountable while also protecting others from harm."