Northumberland man sentenced after pleading guilty to voyeurism

Sean Macneil pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court on October 15.

The 47-year-old, from Byrness Village, was back before magistrates on Thursday following the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

He admitted recording a private act and installing equipment for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification between November 19 and March 15.

James Long, prosecuting, said the hidden camera in place over a period of time and which required batteries to be changed at regular intervals showed there had been a degree of planning.

The defendant also admitted a charge of possession of cannabis.

Ian O’Rourke, in mitigation, said: “His judgement and decision-making appears to have been influenced by the amount of alcohol he was taking coupled with drugs.

"He was taking non-prescription morphine, cocaine and cannabis and that was steadily increasing as he attempted to self-medicate because of worries about a debt totalling £30,000.”

The court heard he had also been diagnosed with depression but was receiving help from a number of agencies.

Chair of magistrates John Fleet said: “We do find there has been both raised harm and raised culpability. There was a degree of planning in that images were recorded.

"Having read the pre-sentence report we believe there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation that means we can suspend the prison sentence.”

The defendant was sentenced to a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay £750 compensation to the victim.