Vigilant Mother Halts Upskirting Attempt on Daughter in Cardiff Mall

A disturbing incident unfolded in a Cardiff shopping centre when a mother's swift action led to the apprehension and sentencing of a man attempting to film under her young daughter's skirt.

Alex Allegretto, aged 39, was caught on security cameras filming beneath the girl’s skirt inside St David’s 2 shopping centre on the morning of July 7, 2026. The girl was out shopping with her mother when the predator approached closely, placing his mobile phone under her attire.

Upon noticing Allegretto’s suspicious behaviour, the vigilant mother immediately confronted him. He attempted to flee the scene, running towards Churchill Way, but the mother’s challenge was captured on police footage. Allegretto then proceeded to his vehicle parked nearby, inadvertently providing a crucial trail for law enforcement.

Detectives tracked his movements to Fitzalan Road and, through vehicle registration checks, successfully identified Allegretto as a named driver. Four days later, he was arrested at his home address in Maesteg, South Wales.

Allegretto admitted to the offence of operating a mobile phone beneath the clothing of another person with the intent of obtaining s*xual gratification. He pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on August 5. The court mandated that Allegretto register with the police for five years under the S*xual Offences Act 2003, complete 140 hours of unpaid community work, and fulfil Rehabilitation Activity Requirements.

Police officials noted that the encounter has left the young victim feeling anxious and apprehensive about people walking behind her. Sergeant Luis Antony from South Wales Police stated, "Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, and nobody should be subjected to this kind of offence." He added that the incident continues to impact the victim and expressed hope that the court’s decision would offer some comfort and help her regain confidence.

South Wales Police commended the investigative team, highlighting that "excellent CCTV work by detectives resulted in this person being brought to justice for upskirting in Cardiff city centre." They affirmed their commitment to employing all possible investigative methods, including CCTV, to trace offenders and secure justice for victims, emphasizing its critical role in this particular case.

Upskirting was officially criminalized in England and Wales in April 2019, following extensive campaigning by victims.