A SEX OFFENDER banned from carrying a video camera anywhere in public has formally appealed to York Crown Court.

Last month, the city's magistrates made a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) against Andrew Mackie, 33, which banned him permanently from carrying anything capable of making a moving image, including mobile phones with cameras, anywhere in public in England or Wales.

The order was imposed as part of his punishment for filming women's bottoms in York city centre at the peak of last year's heat wave.

Mackie, of Oxbridge Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, had previously pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour in the streets of York and at the city's railway station on August 6. He has previous sex convictions and is on the sex offenders' register.

York magistrates watched the film he made then of women, who were unaware that he was filming them, before making the order.

Solicitor Richard Minion, on behalf of Mackie, opposed the making of the ban during the hearing.

In addition to the CRASBO, Mackie was put on probation for two years, and magistrates ordered police to destroy the video camera he used on August 6 and the film. Now he has formally sent appeal papers to the crown court. His appeal will be heard at a date to be decided.

Updated: 10:49 Monday, June 14, 2004