Simon Charles Galvin, known as Sam, appeared in Auckland District Court this morning after pleading guilty to a charge of making an intimate visual recording.
The 37-year-old designer and his brother Jeremy were touted as future stars in the fashion world when they set up clothing label Descendant Denim in 2009.
The brand later became Fistful of Bird due to copyright issues and received rave reviews from industry insiders.
One website described Galvin's work as "a new take on an old classic that boasts innovative cuts, seasonal washes and an uncompromising level of quality".
But three years later, the company folded.
Galvin stood in court today wearing a fitted black shirt and black trousers as Judge Heemi Taumaunu outlined what happened on January 18.
The defendant had concealed a cell phone in a bag before walking down Queen St.
"The cell phone was placed in a way video footage could be taken without people realising," the judge said.
The court heard how the camera was placed to see up women's skirts and Galvin even went into a clothing shop with the secret camera.
He placed the bag by the bottom of a changing-room door, enabling the phone to capture footage of the woman inside who got undressed as she tried on garments.
Judge Taumaunu highlighted Galvin's previously unblemished criminal record and also the many positive references that were provided to the court by his lawyer Marie Dyhrberg, QC.
"The offending is correctly described as 'completely out of character'," the judge said.
He indicated a sentence of community detention might have been appropriate but could not be done because of Galvin's busy work schedule running his new furniture importation business.
The defendant had already completed counselling to "address the underlying issues" of the offending and Judge Taumaunu sentenced him to 12 months of intensive supervision to continue the therapy.
Galvin was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community work.
- By Rob Kidd, NZME
