CALGARY - Surreptitiously taping a sexual encounter with his girlfriend, video which ended up on a shared University of Alberta computer network, has landed a Calgary man in legal hot water.

The man, whom QMI Agency is not naming to protect his victim's identity, pleaded guilty in provincial court Monday to a voyeurism charge.

Crown prosecutor Jenny Rees told Calgary provincial court Judge John Bascom the offender had asked his girlfriend previously if he could tape a sexual encounter, but she refused.

On the night in question he had a friend's webcam set up and videotaped their sexual exploits without her knowledge, Rees said.

Rees said the man, then 18, downloaded it onto his computer in a file that was shared by other residents of the student dormitory in which he lived.

It was later viewed by others.

Rees said a term of probation would be appropriate, noting crimes involving the use of video equipment and computers are becoming more commonplace.

"It's becoming more and more prevalent," the prosecutor said.

But defence counsel Maureen McConaghy argued a conditional discharge, which would eventually mean no criminal conviction would be registered against him.

She said her client, now 19, had no idea the file on his computer could be accessed by others at the university.

"It was completely a mistake," said McConaghy, noting her client intended the video for his use only.

"It was completely with the intention that it would never, ever, ever be transmitted," she said. "He was horrified at what happened."

McConaghy said her client, who was suspended for three semesters from the U of A, intends to eventually return to his study and hopes to advance his education internationally.

But she said with registered conviction that could be difficult.

"He is an outstanding young man who made a mistake."

Bascom will hand down a ruling Nov. 23.

kevin.martin@sunmedia.ca