BENJAMIN FRIMAN BEDFORD POOL PERVERT SPYING ON GIRLS AT KEMPSTON POOL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Bedford community, Benjamin Friman, a 56-year-old resident of The Crescent in Bedford, has been sentenced to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years. The conviction stems from his heinous actions at Kempston Pool, located on Hillgrounds Road, where he was caught using the reflective surface of his mobile phone to secretly observe young girls as they changed clothes.

The incidents occurred on two consecutive days in February of this year, during which Friman was observed targeting two innocent children, a ten-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl, who were using the changing facilities at the council-operated pool. The young girls were in adjacent cubicles, engaged in changing after their swimming sessions, when Friman’s illicit activities took place.

According to court reports, Friman, who was a regular visitor to the pool, was caught on CCTV entering the cubicles next to the girls. It was revealed that he was using the mirrored surface of his mobile phone as a means to secretly watch the children. The ten-year-old girl, who had just completed her swimming lesson, noticed a mobile phone positioned between the cubicles as she bent down to put a 20p coin into her shoe. Frightened by the discovery, she left the changing room hurriedly, still dressed in her swimming costume. Her parents subsequently contacted Bedfordshire Police to report the incident.

The following day, a 13-year-old girl also became aware of a phone between the cubicles while she was removing her bikini after swimming with friends. She left her cubicle to alert her friends and later reported the matter to the authorities. These disturbing incidents prompted a police investigation, which confirmed Friman’s involvement.

During the court proceedings, Toby Earnscliffe, prosecuting, explained that CCTV footage clearly identified Friman entering the cubicles adjacent to the young girls. It was evident that he was using the reflective surface of his mobile device to observe them in a private setting. The court heard that Friman had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of observing a person engaged in a private act.

In addition to the five-year registration on the sex offenders’ register, Bedford Magistrates’ Court imposed a 36-month community order on Friman. This included mandatory attendance at a sex offenders’ programme and supervision. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85. Furthermore, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was issued, prohibiting him from using any changing facilities at public recreation sites unless they are designated for males only.

Jo Cestaro, representing Friman, expressed remorse on his behalf, stating, “Mr. Friman wishes to express his remorse over the way he behaved. He wants to express his apologies to the families.” The case has raised serious concerns about safety and privacy at local recreational facilities, prompting calls for increased vigilance and protective measures to prevent such disturbing incidents in the future.