Man fitted camera in toilet to spy on people
A man who fitted a camera to spy on people sitting on the toilet came unstuck when one of his female victims felt she was “being watched”.
Craig Lawless fitted the camera at Rosedale Aquatics in Home Farm Crescent, Whitnash.
Lawless, aged 40, of Austin Edwards Drive, Warwick, pleaded guilty to seven charges of installing equipment with the intention of enabling himself, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, to observe another person doing a private act.
Lawless was given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to take part in a sexual offender programme for 20 days and ordered to register with the police for seven years.
He was also ordered not to contact three people connected with the case and banned from going to Home Farm Crescent.
The equipment he used for the gathering of images was also confiscated.
A friend of one of Lawless’ victims said people were shocked when it was revealed what he had done.
She said he had been involved with the shop on an informal and unpaid role for around 15 years, back to the days of the previous owners.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We all thought he was a normal bloke. He helped with handyman duties.
“My friend was on the toilet and she had this feeling that she was being watched.
“She looked at a light fitting box and saw a small hole in part of the wording and leaned over to look at it.
“She couldn’t believe it when she pulled the camera out. ”
She said she had been traumatised by what had happened.
“She was absolutely distraught and felt disgusted by what he had done.
“She is such a private person and it has really affected her. She won’t use public toilets anymore because of what has happened.”
Lawless appeared before magistrates in Leamington.
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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