A 43-year-old sports coach who is also a director of a childcare centre admitted in court to having filmed 17 women while they changed in a dressing room.

The man, who cannot be named by court order, admitted to harassment when he installed spy cameras in a changing room and toilet.

In court, prosecuting police inspector John Spiteri exhibited camera equipment, pen drives and a computer hard drive used by the man.

The footage had probably been used by the man for his own personal gratification and did not appear to have been transmitted.

None of the victims, aged 23 to 28, was aware that they were being filmed as they tried a new bra-less sports-top design, suggested to them by their coach.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit sentenced the man to a nine-month prison term suspended for two years and ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment.

Failure to obey would result in a fine of €300 for every person molested.

The court ordered the destruction of the data.

Lawyer Kris Busietta defended the accused. Lawyer Andrew Grima appeared parte civile.