BASILDON MAN, 38, JAILED FOR FILMING WOMAN WITHOUT CONSENT
A 38-year-old man has been jailed for secretly filming a woman in a vulnerable position after being arrested for the offence the previous day.Police found Adam O’Keeffe, 38, had been set to video record and was found hidden by the victim on the evening of last Monday.
Mr O’Keeffe realised his criminal behaviour had been spotted, and was arrested after attending Basildon Police Station at 3.30am last Tuesday.
He provided a statement in which he refuted setting up the phone to secretly record and refused to answer any other questions.
Clear forensic evidence on electronic devices was found and O’Keeffe, of Berry Lane, Langdon Hills, was charged with one count of voyeurism.
The 38-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and admitted the offence.
Magistrates immediately jailed him for one year and put him on the sexual offenders register for 10 years.
He was also handed down a two-year restraining order and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years.
Detective Constable Chloe Dolce, investigating officer, said: “I want to praise the victim for coming forward and reporting this incident, it must have been terrible for her to realise she was being filmed in a vulnerable position without her consent.
“This type of behaviour can have a lasting impact on someone who was just going about their daily business.
O’Keeffe violated their personal space and filmed without consent in a place they should have felt safe.
“This result demonstrates our determination and commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.
We will take quick and decisive action against anyone who preys on women and girls.
Please report any concerns to us immediately and we will thoroughly investigate and support you.”
