LET OFF LIGHTLY

Shamed Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards was cautioned by police yesterday over "Peeping Tom" allegations.

The 57-year-old father-of-two went to a police station to go through the procedure - which means he accepts his guilt over his behaviour at the Mottram Hall Hotel.

It was said he followed a woman into the ladies' toilets at the Cheshire hotel's private leisure club, got down on his hands and knees, and peered at her under the cubicle door.

The woman, in her 40s, was said to be "very distressed" and reported the matter to management. Edwards, married for 30 years and dogged by sex scandals involving prostitutes, has repeatedly refused to comment.

But the multi-millionaire - who quit the United plc board last week and will end 22 years as football club chairman at the end of the season - was seen by police in the summer over his "improper behaviour".

Last night, after his 4pm visit to Wilmslow police station, the Cheshire force said: "A 57-year-old Wilmslow man has been cautioned in respect of Section 5 of the Public Order Act, in relation to behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress."

Edwards need not now face court over the incident.

After the Daily Mirror revealed Edwards' perverted actions at Mottram Hall, another woman came forward with a similar story.

Vera Murphy, 37, a former employee at United's Old Trafford ground, said Edwards' fetish was gossiped about by the girls she worked with.

She said she "froze" in terror one day in the toilets when she realised she was being watched.

She added: "It's terrifying to be sitting there with your skirt up and know there's a man looking at you." A special lock was later fitted to the ladies' loo.

Edwards was in more trouble 10 days ago over cavorting with prostitutes at a football gathering in Geneva