JAMES PARKE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BRIGHTON: TEACHER SPYING ON STUDENTS AND WOMEN AT BHASVIC

In April 2009, a disturbing case unfolded at Lewes Crown Court involving James Parke, a media studies teacher from Brighton, who was found guilty of serious voyeuristic offenses. The court heard how Parke had secretly filmed women’s skirts and covertly observed female students in college toilets, actions that have caused widespread outrage and concern within the community.

Parke, who was employed at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC), kept an extensive collection of over 300 illicit films and photographs. These included footage captured in the changing rooms and toilets of the college, where he had access as a staff member. The court was informed that his disturbing behavior spanned from September 2006 until his arrest in September of the following year.

During the proceedings, Parke was visibly emotional, breaking down in tears as details of his obsessions were laid bare. It was revealed that he suffered from a sexual disorder, which the judge acknowledged as a mitigating factor. As a result, rather than sentencing him to prison, the court ordered that he undergo treatment. The judge, Anthony Scott-Gall, emphasized that Parke’s actions constituted a grave breach of trust and warned him that any breach of the community order could result in imprisonment.

Parke, aged 40 and residing on Kingscote Way in Brighton, was convicted of voyeurism and outraging public decency. He received a three-year community order, which includes supervision by probation services and mandatory attendance at a sex offenders’ program. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years, and he is prohibited from being alone with children under 18 or possessing any equipment capable of storing images.

The investigation was triggered when a store detective observed Parke following young girls around Churchill Square in Brighton. The detective noticed that Parke was carrying a bag containing a concealed camera, which he was using to film up women’s skirts. Police subsequently searched a room at BHASVIC and discovered that Parke had installed equipment in a cupboard that remotely stored images from a hidden camera placed in the toilets.

Prosecutor Oliver Dunkin stated that Parke had openly admitted to filming attractive women aged between 14 and 30, citing voyeuristic tendencies as his motivation. He emphasized that none of the women or girls had been aware they were being recorded. The footage included women shopping and students walking upstairs at the college, highlighting the extent of Parke’s invasive behavior.

Following his arrest, Parke resigned from his teaching position at BHASVIC. His defense lawyer, Ed Fish, acknowledged the severity of his breach of trust and conceded that Parke understood he would not be able to continue working as a teacher. The principal of BHASVIC, Chris Thomson, expressed deep disappointment, stating, “Mr Parke was trusted by his students, their parents, and colleagues. He betrayed that trust.”

Detective Inspector Chris Neilson, head of Sussex Police’s child protection unit, described the case as “shocking,” but also noted the importance of justice being served, emphasizing that Parke had been caught and brought before the courts. The police have urged anyone affected by Parke’s crimes or in need of support to contact the child protection team at 0845 6070999, underscoring the serious impact of his actions on victims and the community.