A "sickening" pervert has been jailed for eight months after he spied on people using the toilet.
Kevin Campbell appeared for sentencing today at Liverpool Crown Court. The 58-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of voyeurism.
Campbell, who lives in Allerton, planted a camera in a toilet in Birkenhead and filmed unsuspecting members of the public over the course of a year. The defendant stored the footage on his laptop, where an IT company uncovered his stash in December 2020.
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The court heard Campbell was "distraught" when probed on the videos - and immediately admitted his guilt. However, David Watson, prosecuting, read out a number of statements from his numerous victims, who are still traumatised after footage of them was used for the defendant's own "sexual gratification".
They said: "It is sickening and I still don't feel comfortable using a bathroom in public or at home. I quite often find myself worrying if I am being recorded". Another victim added: "I feel sick, shaken, weak and quite upset."
Jonathan Keane, defending, urged the judge to consider the defendant's good character as he previously had no criminal record. Campbell was on bail for 14 months and Mr Keane said the defendant "genuinely suffered" during this period and has shown clear remorse.
The court heard Campbell had suffered with an adjustment disorder, which led to an attempt to take his own life. Mr Keane also said the "stress of the investigation" had taken its toll on the wellbeing of his family members.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, described the case as "not straightforward" during the sentencing and said he considered the time taken for the trial, the defendant's risk of re-offending and previous good record as mitigating factors.
However, the "seriousness" of the crime and the length of the time he committed the offence led the judge to hand Campbell an eight month prison sentence. The judge added: "I am driven to the conclusion that only immediate custody is appropriate."
Judge Cummings also handed Campbell, of New Heys Drive, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years - and he will have to comply with the notification requirement for this duration.
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