RICHARD NEWIS FROM FAILSWORTH AND HULL SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES AND VOYEURISM

In August 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Newis, a 43-year-old man whose actions have shocked the local communities of Failsworth and Hull. The incident came to light after police investigations uncovered that Newis had secretly recorded a sexual encounter with a sex worker at his flat, raising serious concerns about privacy and consent.

According to court reports, Newis employed a hidden camera to covertly film a woman during a consensual session. The footage revealed Newis gagging and tying up the woman, actions that she had agreed to during their encounter. However, she was completely unaware that her activities were being recorded without her knowledge. The 22-year-old woman only discovered the existence of the footage after police began investigating Newis for unrelated matters. Her reaction was one of horror and shock upon realizing she had been secretly filmed, which compounded the trauma of the incident.

Evidence presented in court detailed how Newis meticulously planned the setup of the camera. He was seen making repeated checks and adjustments to ensure the device was positioned at the optimal angle to capture the entire scene. The court was shown footage where Newis’s face appeared clearly as he set up the recording device on a chest of drawers or a similar piece of furniture before the woman arrived. The audio recordings captured the sound of a door opening, indicating his preparation, and footage showed Newis undressing as the woman entered the room. She was seen sitting naked on the bed, and Newis proceeded to tie her wrists and ankles to the bedframe, blindfolding her as part of their consensual role-play.

Prosecutor David Godfrey described the scene, stating, “Newis ties her wrists and ankles to the bed and blindfolds her,” emphasizing that the sexual activity was consensual at that point. The woman had told him she was comfortable with being gagged, and she was tied up again before engaging in further sexual acts. During police interviews, Newis claimed that the woman was aware of the filming, but when questioned about any prior arrangement to be recorded, he responded with “No comment.”

Further disturbing revelations emerged during the investigation. It was discovered that Newis had also set up a camera to film a young girl he had sexually assaulted, adding to the gravity of his offenses. Additionally, he had asked a 17-year-old girl, who was working as an escort, to send him sexually explicit images of herself. The girl had advertised her services online claiming she was 22, but she quickly corrected Newis about her actual age, which was under 18. Despite this, Newis continued to pursue her, making numerous offers and requesting explicit photos and videos.

Newis, who has since moved from Hull to an undisclosed location, denied many of the sexual offenses he faced. Nevertheless, a jury convicted him on several charges, including sexual assault and two counts of voyeurism. He also admitted to causing the sexual exploitation of a child and possessing 24 indecent images of a minor. Police found a camcorder and tapes during a search of his flat in December 2018, which supported the evidence of his voyeuristic activities.

The court heard that the young girl involved in the online encounter had initially misrepresented her age, claiming to be 22 when she was actually under 18. Despite her correction, Newis persisted in his inappropriate behavior, asking her to perform sexual acts in exchange for money and to send explicit images. Prosecutor Mr. Godfrey described his pattern of behavior, noting, “They follow that pattern throughout. It would seem that he was quite infatuated with her and was making lots of offers. It was him asking for these photos and her sending them.”

Richard Newis’s criminal record included a previous conviction for harassment and a caution, but he had been free of trouble since 2018 until these recent offenses. Judge Kate Rayfield addressed him directly, stating, “You took no responsibility and only saw yourself as a victim.”

Recently residing on Rose Hey Lane in Failsworth, Manchester, Newis was sentenced to a total of six years and nine months in prison. Although an initial longer sentence was considered, it was reduced after a court error was identified. Upon release, he will be subject to an extended license period of three years, and he has been issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Furthermore, Newis is required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.