Adam Simon McGovern has received an 18-month prison sentence for producing ‘upskirting’ videos of women and children in public areas throughout Perth. This ruling follows his earlier conviction for the ongoing sexual abuse of a teenager during his employment as a mental health nurse.
McGovern, who is now 51, will be eligible for parole in late 2035. He was sentenced earlier this month for the repeated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl while he was working in a mental health facility.
The Perth District Court found McGovern guilty on December 7, 2025, on 23 counts related to the illicit recording of individuals in public settings during 2022. After being released on bail, he was arrested again on January 18, 2026, after being convicted of charges related to child sexual abuse.
During his time as a mental health nurse, McGovern met the victim, a teenage girl, in 2016 while she was receiving treatment at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service due to self-harming and suicidal thoughts. Court documents reveal that within weeks, he escalated from inappropriate hugs to severe sexual abuse, including unprotected sexual encounters.
Even after the victim was discharged from the facility, the abuse persisted during therapy sessions and at her school. When the victim’s father became suspicious, McGovern resigned and fled the country for eight months. Upon his return, he reestablished contact with the victim and continued the abuse until just after her 16th birthday.
In a victim impact statement, the young woman expressed how the extensive grooming and sexual abuse drastically changed her life. She criticized the system that was meant to protect her, stating, “The person trusted to care for me wronged me viciously.”
Judge Seamus Rafferty SC highlighted the severity of McGovern’s actions, emphasizing the need to safeguard the community, particularly young women. He stated that only imprisonment could adequately convey the seriousness of the offenses and the lasting harm inflicted on the victim.
McGovern received an 11-year prison sentence, which was backdated to the date of his arrest, along with a lifetime violence restraining order in favor of the victim.
In a separate hearing, the court learned that McGovern recorded 15 videos over two months in 2022, capturing images of numerous young women and children without their consent. One disturbing video showed him filming under the dress of a young girl estimated to be no older than six.
Defense attorney Anthony Elliott argued that McGovern had previously been viewed as a valuable community member and claimed that his motivations were artistic rather than sexual. However, prosecutor Mimi Yeung condemned McGovern’s actions as cowardly and predatory, asserting that the victims were completely unaware and defenseless against such violations.
Magistrate Wendy Gillan dismissed Elliott’s arguments, reinforcing that McGovern’s actions were covert and opportunistic. She expressed concern over the broader implications of his behavior, noting that it undermined public safety and the sense of security for women in everyday situations. Gillan urged that upon completing his sentence, McGovern should seek to positively contribute to society rather than detract from its safety.
