April 2012

Peeping pervert took video of girl through her bedroom window

A PAEDOPHILE from Tamworth who was caught filming a teenage girl through her bedroom window in a “distasteful and disgusting” premeditated incident has been spared jail for “public protection”.

Judge Paul Glenn told Charles Pearson: “You derive sexual gratification from thrill-seeking, you plainly represent a risk to young children.”

But he said a jail term would see him released in just a few weeks with no treatment.

Stafford Crown Court heard on Monday (April 23) how police had also discovered pornographic images of children on Pearson’s computer while investigating the complaints of voyeurism.

Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said Pearson took the photographs at a house in Tamworth.

The girl was sitting on her bed naked following a shower when her mother heard her daughter screaming. The girl said she had seen a mobile phone pointing at her through a pane of glass.

At first, her mother thought she may have been “seeing things”, but it later transpired she was not and police were informed.

After Pearson’s arrest, he told officers he had also taken photos of a teenage boy.

He had done it 20 or 30 times, but had deleted the pictures from his phone.

The 41-year-old, who has since moved to Yardley Road, in the Acocks Green area of Birmingham, admitted charges of voyeurism, making indecent images of children and one offence of possessing “extreme pornography”.

He was given a three-year community order to undergo sex offenders’ treatment, ordered to register as a sex offender and banned from working with children indefinitely.

In addition, he was also barred from possessing any kind of photographic device.

Judge Paul Glenn told him: “The voyeurism offences are the most serious.

“They were plainly premeditated, distasteful and disgusting.

“You accept the sexual attraction you have to children and had matters not been detected, this may have gone further.”

The judge said that if a prison sentence were imposed, Pearson would be out of jail in a few weeks with no treatment.

He added: “Public protection is better served with a long-term order.”

Mr Sullivan said Pearson’s computer had a total of 17 indecent images of children on it, plus one of extreme pornography which is now illegal.

Peter Cooke, defending, said Pearson had lost his job and his marriage as a result of these crimes.

“He is very conscious of the harm he’s done and is deeply ashamed.

“He has no desire to own a camera.”