ROBERT HOLDEN'S SHOCKING CAMERAS SCANDAL IN SOWERBY BRIDGE: COUNCILLOR'S DEPRAVITY EXPOSED

A former local government councillor from Sowerby Bridge, Robert Holden, has been sentenced to a prison term of six years and two months after a disturbing case of voyeurism and digital misconduct came to light. Holden, aged 51, who previously served as a Conservative councillor representing the Ryburn ward on Calderdale Council, was found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving secretly filming women in his own home over a span of more than a decade.

According to court proceedings, Holden clandestinely installed cameras in his bathroom and bedroom, capturing footage of 29 individuals, including 27 women. These recordings documented intimate moments such as showering, changing clothes, and even sexual activity. The court heard that these acts of voyeurism took place over a period stretching from 2006 to 2020, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned 14 years.

The investigation was triggered when one of Holden’s victims grew suspicious that he was tracking her on her mobile device. Her concerns led her to discover a hidden camera concealed within the bathroom of Holden’s residence. She promptly contacted West Yorkshire Police, who responded swiftly to her report. During a search of Holden’s property, officers uncovered additional cameras—one in the bathroom and another in a bedroom—both connected to a digital recording device set to operate continuously, 24 hours a day.

Further examination revealed that Holden had also engaged in computer misuse. He had downloaded images from devices belonging to individuals who had trusted him, breaching their privacy and exploiting their trust for his own gratification. These actions resulted in multiple charges, including 31 counts of voyeurism and seven counts of computer misuse.

During the court hearing, impact statements from some of Holden’s victims were read aloud. One woman described feeling “violated, exposed and vulnerable” due to his actions. Others expressed feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, and paranoid, fearing they were constantly being watched. One victim conveyed that Holden’s conduct left her feeling “stupid, empty, worthless and ashamed,” highlighting the profound emotional toll inflicted by his crimes.

Judge Sophie McKone, presiding over the case, condemned Holden’s behavior, describing him as “depraved and selfish.” She emphasized that Holden had concealed his true nature behind a facade of respectability, being a local business owner and a councillor. The judge characterized his actions as “well-organized deception at its worst,” noting that he had betrayed the trust of many over a lengthy period. She pointed out that the victims had a right to believe their experiences were private, and Holden’s motives were driven by a desire for “a cheap thrill.”

As part of his sentence, Holden was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was issued a lifelong sexual harm prevention order. This order explicitly prohibits him from making any contact with his victims, aiming to prevent further harm and protect those affected by his criminal conduct.