RYAN HOGGART CAUGHT SPYING IN TOVIL: SHOCKING VOYEURISM INCIDENT AT MAIDSTONE COURT

In November 2017, a disturbing incident involving voyeurism unfolded in Tovil, leading to a court hearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court. Ryan Hoggart, a 25-year-old resident of Church Street, Tovil, found himself at the center of a serious privacy breach that left a woman feeling deeply unsettled and violated.

According to court proceedings, Hoggart had been entrusted to look after the woman's children while she was preparing to take a shower. During this time, he requested to use the toilet and, in an act of gross misconduct, set his mobile phone to record. Unbeknownst to the woman, Hoggart had propped his phone against the toilet, with the device facing the shower area, effectively capturing footage without her consent.

The victim discovered the recording device and was understandably alarmed. She noticed the phone was recording and facing her shower, which caused her to panic. In response, she quickly left her property and sought safety next door. The incident did not end there; Hoggart continued to harass her by bombarding her with a total of 87 text messages and making 49 phone calls, further invading her privacy and causing emotional distress.

During the court hearing, prosecutor Julie Fairbrass revealed that Hoggart had also violated a restraining order by showing up uninvited at the victim’s address on October 4 at approximately 4 pm. She stated, “Whilst present he agreed to look after her children while she went for a shower. He said he wanted to use the toilet first and she noticed he had been some time. She noticed his phone was propped up by the toilet on the floor. She noticed the phone was recording and facing the shower. She said she panicked and left the property to go next door.”

Hoggart admitted to one count of voyeurism. His legal representative explained that he was a former employee of the London Mining Company and emphasized that Hoggart had no intention of using the footage for blackmail or distribution purposes. Despite this, the victim’s statement expressed ongoing feelings of paranoia, with her now checking for other hidden cameras in her surroundings.

In sentencing, Hoggart received a 162-day prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £265. The chairman of the bench, Alan Golding, remarked, “We spent a long time discussing your sentence and it was touch and go. We are going to give you one last chance.” This case highlights the serious consequences of invasive voyeurism and breaches of trust, especially within the community of Tovil.