MATTHEW FOX FROM MAREHAY ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE FILMING YOUNG GIRLS IN DERBY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Matthew Fox, a resident of Marehay, has been allowed to walk free from Derby Crown Court despite being found guilty of serious offenses involving the exploitation of young girls. The case revealed that Fox had been engaged in covertly filming girls as they changed in their bedrooms, some as young as 10 years old, over a period spanning more than two years.

Police investigations uncovered that Fox had been spying on these young victims using a camera, capturing private moments without their knowledge or consent. The authorities were alerted after Fox was observed lurking with a camera at a house, which ultimately led to his arrest. The court heard that during the two-and-a-half-year period, Fox had amassed nearly 200 videos and 50 photographs of one of his victims, a girl now aged 12, and about 40 videos and images of two other young girls. One of the victims, a girl of just 10, was so traumatized by the invasion of her privacy that she now refuses to go into her bedroom alone, and her confidence has been severely affected.

Derby Crown Court was told that Fox’s actions included not only voyeurism but also the downloading and creation of indecent images. Fox, aged 25, admitted to three counts of taking indecent images, three counts of downloading such images, and one count of voyeurism. Despite the gravity of his crimes, the court sentenced him to a three-year community order, which requires him to participate in a community sex offender group work programme. Additionally, Fox was ordered to undertake up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities and was issued a sexual harm prevention order to restrict his future conduct.

The father of one of Fox’s victims expressed profound disappointment and distress over the court’s decision. He described his daughter as being left a “wreck” after discovering what Fox had been doing. He explained that she is now too frightened to enter her bedroom alone, struggles with sleep, and has lost her confidence. The father recounted that police had visited their home in November after being tipped off about Fox’s spying activities. He revealed that the police found Fox spying with a camera at a house, which led to the investigation and subsequent charges.

He also voiced his concern that, despite the severity of the crimes, Fox has not been imprisoned. The court’s decision to impose a community order was based on the judge’s belief that rehabilitation was the best course of action. The father expressed his and his daughter’s frustration, stating, “We thought he would get a custodial sentence, with all due respect to the judge, who did explain why he had given him a community order. His argument was that he wanted him to be rehabilitated. But, from our point of view, and my daughter’s, he hasn’t been punished and he is still out on the streets.”

Fox’s address was listed as Derby Road, Marehay, and his case has left many in the community questioning the adequacy of the punishment for such disturbing offenses. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing fight against child exploitation and voyeurism.