Ring doorbell camera catches man urinating at stranger’s door

By Filipa Gaspar

A man was prosecuted after being caught urinating outside a house on a doorbell video.

Charles May, 49, was captured by a Ring doorbell exposing and relieving himself at the front door of a property in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

May was charged with criminal damage to the house and indecent exposure on April 11 last year.

The defendant, from Aylesbury, pleaded guilty to both counts and was sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid work and ordered to abstain from alcohol for 120 days.

Magistrates also ordered he pay £300 ($400) in compensation at the sentencing at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court in September last year.

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has now highlighted the case as a growing example of digital evidence being submitted from people across the force area as a "simple way" to support policing efforts.

The force uses a system run by NiCE Investigate, and shared setup costs with Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey Police.

The forces are now urging residents to register their cameras and CCTV systems to help them solve more crimes, more quickly.

Registering is voluntary and camera owners remain in control of what footage they wish to send the police via links sent out by investigators.

Thames Valley Police said: "In this case, footage from a Ring doorbell camera was instrumental in securing a conviction.

"Registering your CCTV or video doorbell with Thames Valley Police through NICE can help officers quickly identify and access footage that may be vital in investigations.

"It's a simple way to support policing efforts and help keep your neighborhood safe."