Man exposed himself and took secret photographs

A SUCCESSFUL businessman secretly filmed and photographed women, including taking upskirting pictures, a court has heard.

Jonathan Drake also exposed himself to women using the flies on his trousers.

It was his wife of 13 years who discovered what he was doing and contacted the police.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Drake was “deeply ashamed” of his actions but could not explain why he had done it.

Ieuan Bennett, prosecuting, said the offending had lasted for three years.

During that period Drake secretly filmed and photographed women by using a number of devices, including a mobile phone. The images were saved and catalogued on his computer.

The court heard the images included women using a toilet, upskirting pictures or video covertly shot up a woman’s dress or skirt, a woman bending, and photographs of underwear.

On a number of occasions 47-year-old Drake would wear shorts or trousers without ubderwear and would expose himself to women through the flies. When one of the victims challenged him about his behaviour he replied: “Sorry, I go commando.” However the matter was not reported to police at the time.

Mr Bennett said the offending was discovered by the defendant’s wife who went to the police in January 2019.

Officers seized a number of pieces of computer and storage devices from the home of the former IT worker and on them found files of photographs and films.

Drake, of Wenvoe, Cardiff, admitted a total of 10 counts of voyeurism and exposure.

Beverley Cripps, for Drake, said the defendant was a man of good character who had worked in IT before starting his own property business.

She said he was “deeply ashamed” of what he had done and could give no reason for it.

Judge Richard Williams said Drake he had “contrived situations” where he was able to take photographs and video of women to “indulge” himself.

He told the defendant that a presentence report had concluded “you have little insight into the harm you have caused” and he said that a sentence of immediate custody was the only appropriate one.

Giving Drake a discount for his guilty pleas the judge sentenced him to 60 weeks in prison. The defendant will serve half that period in custody before being released on licence.

Drake will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order to control his use of electronic devices.

The judge thanked the women who had given witness statements in the case for their courage.