DISTURBED MAN SPIES ON SISTER-IN-LAW FROM ATTIC IN LOWESTOFT

A man named Thomas Crowe, aged 45, committed a disturbing act by infiltrating his sister-in-law Julia Brabben's attic in Lowestoft. He drilled holes in the bathroom ceiling and secretly spied on her as she moved around undressed. Crowe used a spare key to enter the house uninvited and waited in the loft until Julia arrived home. His creeping routine persisted for several months before he was apprehended. Julia Brabben, 35, described the incident as 'despicable' and likened it to 'rape without the physical bit.' When she discovered the drilled holes, she was brushing her teeth and heard a noise, then saw the damage. Crowe was found in the attic with items belonging to Julia, including underwear, a child's leotard, gloves, masks, drills, and a torch. He claimed he had planned revenge against Julia because she refused to lend him money two years earlier but couldn't explain why he was in the attic or claim responsibility for drilling the holes. He admitted to burglary with intent to cause damage at his sister-in-law's home in Lowestoft. The court heard the impact on Julia, with a prosecutor stating, 'You can imagine the effect on her.' Crowe's defense argued he was mentally ill with psychological problems stemming from a strict upbringing, comparing him to a 'child that has not grown up properly rather than an adult doing something out of badness.' Due to insufficient powers, magistrates sentenced him to be transferred to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing proceedings.