JACOB SANDERSON SHOCKS LEICESTER AND MORECAMBE WITH BATHROOM VOYEURISM AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through Leicester and Morecambe, Jacob Sanderson, aged 22, was found guilty of heinous acts involving voyeurism and possession of illegal images of children. The incident unfolded in Leicester, where Sanderson, a student at the time, secretly installed a tiny camera in a bathroom with the intent to spy on women using the facilities.

One of the victims, while using the bathroom, discovered the concealed USB device containing the miniature camera. She promptly showed her boyfriend, who then confronted Sanderson at the scene. Despite denying any wrongdoing initially, the boyfriend examined the contents of the device and was horrified to find videos depicting his girlfriend and two other women in vulnerable moments, such as showering and using the toilet.

Sanderson's reaction to the confrontation was alarming; he threatened to swallow bleach, prompting the boyfriend to seize the bottle and call the police. Following his arrest, Sanderson admitted to authorities that his computer contained numerous indecent images of children, along with a digital copy of a book titled The Paedophile’s Handbook. The police investigation revealed a disturbing collection of material, including over 1,800 graphic images and videos of children, some as young as one month old, with more than 100 videos classified as the most severe category A.

Leicester Crown Court heard that the police officers involved in examining Sanderson’s digital devices found the content so distressing that they had to take regular breaks. The severity of the images was described as unprecedented in the officer’s career, with the files including explicit material involving children from the age of two upwards. The investigation also uncovered a copy of The Paedophile’s Handbook and a CV suggesting Sanderson had been seeking employment at camps for young children, raising further concerns about his intentions.

Prosecutor Andrew Peet emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that the images were so disturbing that they made grim reading for the officers involved. The court was told that the files included images of infants and young children, with some depicting the most severe forms of abuse. The sheer volume and severity of the material led to a plea of guilty from Sanderson to charges of voyeurism and possession of illegal images.

Representing Sanderson, solicitor Richard Purchase highlighted that his client, now residing in Morecambe, Lancashire, had a troubled past marked by childhood abuse. He urged the court to consider a sentence that would focus on treatment rather than immediate imprisonment, citing Sanderson’s remorse and mental health difficulties. Sanderson had also dropped out of university and returned to Lancashire after his arrest.

Judge Nicholas Dean acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but opted against sending Sanderson to prison. He noted that Sanderson’s reaction to being caught—threatening to ingest bleach—indicated significant distress. The judge also referenced a psychiatric report indicating that Sanderson’s family was loving and supportive, despite his own traumatic childhood.

While recognizing the need for punishment, Judge Dean emphasized the importance of rehabilitation where possible. He sentenced Sanderson to a three-year community order, which includes 90 days of participation in a sexual offender treatment program and 150 hours of unpaid community service. The judge’s decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing the severity of the crimes with the potential for rehabilitation and mental health treatment.