Creepy doc who secretly filmed men in bathrooms is jailed
- Dignity 4Patients
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
By Neil Fetherstonhaugh - Sunday Word - 10.05.2025 - [SCOTLAND] - [Ju Young Um]
A creepy doctor claimed he hid cameras in various bathrooms to film friends and colleagues as he had concerns over the size of his penis has been jailed.
Anaesthetist Ju Young Um hid the recording devices in air fresheners and a smoke alarm in the bathroom and spare bedroom of his flat in Glasgow's west end.
The 34-year-old also discreetly filmed a friend and doctor at staff accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
He recorded a total of 30 different people, including 21 men and nine women, four of whom were doctors, over the course of almost three years.
Um, who was later diagnosed as having a form of body dysmorphia, claimed he used the footage to compare himself to other men, having been diagnosed with "suspected gigantism" when he was a teenager which led to a belief he had a "small penis." Um was found guilty of a total of 23 charges under the Sexual Offences Act, committed between November 2020 and August 2023 by a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Um recorded his first victim in secret through a window as he showered on a mobile phone.
The court heard how later one victim became suspicious after noticing two air fresheners which appeared to be facing the toilet and shower.
On closer inspection, hidden cameras were discovered inside the plastic containers.
This prompted a further search of the rented bedroom and a camera was subsequently found inside a smoke alarm. The victim then contacted police.
The anaesthetist was also found guilty of covertly filming people in private situations within staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where he had attached a camera to a smoke alarm of a fellow's doctor's bedroom at the hospital. The cameras were seized along with a mobile phone, laptop and storage device which contained recordings of several individuals.
Um said he did not seek medical help until 20 years after being diagnosed with suspected gigantism, but was only diagnosed with body dysmorphia after he was arrested.
He was later suspended from his work as a doctor.
His lawyer told the sentencing that his client acknowledged his crimes were "morally wrong" and that he was aware of the "harm and distress he has caused his victims,"
Sheriff Owen Mullan told Um his actions had met the threshold for a custodial sentence. He also placed Um under supervision for nine months upon his release from prison and put him on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Sheriff Mullan said: "Your victims were friends, colleagues and some who rented a room from you - they were unaware of your activities.
"Jurors heard of the shock and distress suffered by some of your victims.
"Because of the gravity of this offence, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal."
Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: "Ju Young Um carried out these invasive offences in a calculated and premeditated manner. "He abused a position of trust to significantly violate the privacy of numerous individuals for his own sexual gratification.
"I give thanks to all those involved in securing this prosecution, which has held Um accountable while also protecting others from harm." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
