Man who filmed underage girls naked in shower with hidden iPhone avoids jail
A man who secretly concealed an iPhone so that he could film naked underage girls in the shower has avoided jail.
Anthony Collins, 40, also known as Henderson, hid the smartphone on a shelf in a cardboard box aimed at a bathroom where teenagers washed themselves.
One of the victims managed to find the phone in the bathroom after feeling that something "wasn't quite right", Maidstone Crown Court was told.
She discovered video footage of herself and another of a girl who had showered previously on the phone’s camera roll.
The girl deleted the footage in a panic – potentially destroying key evidence – but analysis of Collins' iCloud account found five similar videos.
One of these showed Collins setting up the hidden device in a bid to record his victims showering.
One victim told the court: “When I discovered the video my heart sank.”
Another added: “It has made me feel disgusting.”
The court heard Collins gave no comment in interviews after being arrested the same day, but later pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possession of indecent images of children.
Recorder David Jeremy QC ordered Collins to pay an £8,000 fine by the end of September.
He also handed Collins a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years; 20 rehabilitation requirement days; engagement on the sex offenders’ Horizon programme; and 10-year notification requirements.
Mitigating, Niall Doherty said Collins refers to his actions as a “moment of madness”.
He added that Collins, of Gillingham in Kent, was deeply remorseful and had no previous relevant convictions.
Speaking after the sentencing, one victim's mother said she was relieved the case had not gone to trial.
"It's an important issue that people need to know about," she said.
"It makes you doubt people. It was a relief that he pleaded guilty so it didn't go to trial. But I feel he could've admitted his guilt originally.
"Originally the CPS wasn't going to prosecute. I had to fight to get it to court.
"I had prepared for him not going to prison but it was still annoying and frustrating and I just feel he's got away with it a little bit.
"It's time to draw a line under it now and move on."
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