SIDMOUTH MAN CHRISTOPHER PAYNE SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING VOYEURISM AND ILLEGAL AMMUNITION CASES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Sidmouth, Christopher Payne, a 41-year-old man residing on Orchard Close, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple serious offenses involving voyeurism and illegal possession of ammunition.

The case came to light when police officers conducted a search of Payne’s residence in Sidmouth. During the search, they discovered an illegal collection of ammunition, including expanding bullets, which he possessed without proper authorization. Additionally, they seized his computer, where they uncovered a series of disturbing video recordings and images.

Among the most troubling findings were four video recordings, totaling approximately 52 minutes, which depicted a teenage girl in a shower. These videos were not initially intended for any lawful purpose but appeared to have been filmed covertly by attaching a camera to a stand. The videos showed the girl engaging in routine activities such as using the wash basin, brushing her hair, and taking a shower behind a glass or Perspex panel, with her fully exposed and unclothed. The videos were of varying lengths—18, 14, 7, and 13 minutes—and were stored in an unmarked folder on Payne’s computer. Police also found three additional videos, which had been deleted, that seemed to be trial runs or test recordings of the same location.

The victim, a teenage girl, was so shocked and distressed upon discovering what Payne had done that she suffered a panic attack, as detailed during the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court. Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb explained that the images and videos were discovered by accident and that they depicted the girl in vulnerable moments, which constituted a serious breach of her privacy and safety.

Payne admitted to four counts of voyeurism, acknowledging that he had secretly filmed the girl in the shower, and also confessed to possessing 14 indecent images of a child, which he had taken while spying on her. His actions caused significant emotional trauma to the victim, with the court hearing that her mental health had been severely affected, and she was suffering from panic attacks as a result.

In addition to the voyeurism charges, Payne pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition without a license, including expanding bullets, and failing to keep a rifle securely, breaching the conditions of his firearms certificate. These violations prompted further legal action and contributed to his sentencing.

During the sentencing hearing, Recorder Mr. Paul Garlick, QC, emphasized the gravity of Payne’s offenses. He stated, “The girl has suffered panic attacks and it has had a devastating effect on her. There is no choice but to impose a custodial sentence. These offences are extremely serious and it is clear your actions have devastated the life of a young teenaged girl and she may never recover from that. I note you are a man of good character and I have read a pre-sentence report and references.”

As a result, Payne was sentenced to six months in prison. The court also ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his contact with children and grants authorities the ability to monitor his internet activity closely. This comprehensive legal response underscores the severity with which the justice system views such violations of privacy and safety.

Payne, who works as a cleaner and lives with his mother in Sidmouth, now faces the consequences of his actions, which have left a lasting impact on his victim and the community at large.