MATTHEW THOMAS SENTENCED TO 32 MONTHS IN PRISON IN ELESMERE PORT FOR VOYEURISM AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
A man identified as Matthew Thomas, 39, of Meadowbank Drive in Ellesmere Port, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after secretly filming individuals in bathroom settings.On Friday, he appeared before Chester Crown Court, having previously admitted to charges including voyeurism, recording images of children, three counts of taking indecent images of children, three counts of making indecent images, and two counts of possessing extreme pornography.
The criminal behaviour was uncovered in September 2020 when a woman using a toilet at an unspecified business noticed a bright light emanating from a jacket hanging in her cubicle.
Upon closer inspection, she discovered a hole in the jacket’s pocket with a camera lens pressed against it and promptly reported her findings.
This led to the arrest of Matthew Thomas on suspicion of voyeurism and the commencement of an investigation by Cheshire Police.
During a search of Thomas’s electronic devices including three mobile phones, an iPad, a laptop, and other computers officers found over 100 videos of a sexual nature dating back to 2008.
These included footage of voyeurism and upskirting.
Additionally, 28 indecent images of children and two videos depicting extreme pornography were recovered.
Thomas was sentenced last week to 32 months in custody.
The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Following the sentencing, Ellesmere Port police officer DC Lois Elvey praised the bravery of the victims.
“What Thomas did was inexcusable,” she said.
“He secretly recorded his victims to fulfil his own sexual gratification.
It was only by chance that his crimes were uncovered when one victim discovered a camera hidden in a jacket pocket.
Upon examining his electronic devices, we found 67 videos of people using the toilet, involving 17 victims, some under the age of 18 at the time.
We also discovered footage of upskirting taken during an outing.” DC Elvey emphasized the strength of the evidence, which compelled Thomas to plead guilty to all charges.
“I hope the sentence provides reassurance to his victims, who showed remarkable courage and strength during this investigation, and helps them begin to move forward,” she added.
