STEPHEN STONEHOUSE CAUGHT IN CHESTER-LE-STREET VOYEUR SCANDAL INVOLVING SCHOOLBOYS AND YOUNG MEN

In August 2014, a disturbing case of voyeurism came to light involving Stephen Andrew Stonehouse, a resident of John Street, Sacriston, near Chester-Le-Street. The court was informed that Stonehouse had secretly recorded boys and young men in private situations, such as bathing and using toilets, for his own sexual gratification. These recordings only came to public attention after authorities discovered his covertly-placed camera phones.

Durham Crown Court heard that among his victims were boys aged 14 and 15. The recordings captured them in vulnerable moments, with some footage showing them bathing or using toilets. It was revealed that Stonehouse had hidden his devices in locations such as a box containing a cut-out hole, which he used to secretly film his targets. The victims noticed the phones on separate occasions; one boy chose to remain silent, while another confronted Stonehouse, who claimed the phone was there