Mr Rotavator of BBC filmed naked women in the shower
A FORMER BBC gardening expert watched his tenants use the bathroom with a hidden camera that sent images straight to his iPhone.
Steve Brookes – known as Mr Rotavator – hid the camera inside an air freshener so he could see the women shower and use the toilet.
The 55-year- old’s plot was only discovered when one of his victims spotted the device and became suspicious when it did not emit any fragrance.
He now faces jail after he yesterday admitted observing seven women ‘doing private acts’.
Leamington Spa magistrates’ court heard that Brookes and his wife lived in the downstairs area of their £500,000 home in Stratfordupon-Avon, while three bedrooms upstairs were let out to lodgers.
However one of the tenants raised the alarm after examining the bathroom air freshener and notic- ing ‘electrical wires and batteries’. Police then raided the property and discovered 300 files on an iPhone and camera memory card.
When the TV presenter was questioned by officers, he initially said he had installed the device ‘because his tenants were making a mess’.
Yesterday he pleaded guilty to seven counts of ‘doing a private act knowing that the person did not consent to being observed for sexual gratification’.
Prosecutor Baldev Atwal said: ‘Files contained videos of the bathroom and focused on the shower and the toilet.
‘The device was recording and the camera was motion activated. Mr Brookes’ iPhone had an application whereby he would be aware of the activation of the camera and watch recordings as they unfolded.
‘What will clearly trouble this court is that Mr Brookes has gone to some length planning and set- ting up the camera. The victims express their horror and disgust. Some of the recordings clearly show the ladies using the toilet.’
Brookes became known as Mr Rotavator in the 1990s for his work on educational Channel 4 programmes and his visits to schools to encourage horticulture. The grandfather, who has also worked for the BBC since 1993 as a gardening expert, broadcast live from the Chelsea Flower Show last year.
The offences took place between November 2015 and September last year, and predominantly involved his lodgers.
Defending, Michael Jervis said Brookes had experienced a breakdown in 1988 and had also become ‘stressed’ by the birth of his grandson who has a ‘serious illness’. Mr Jervis said: ‘ He writes books, he has been on television. He has created a certain character to encourage youngsters to become interested in horticulture.
‘His life has been ruined simply because of these very stupid acts.’
Addressing Brookes, chairman of the bench Paul Tasker said: ‘ We have heard of your status in the community and your charity work, which is commendable.
‘We have taken into account all of these matters but have come to the decision we do not have power to sentence you appropriately.’
As justices referred his case to Warwick Crown Court, Brookes’ family – who were said to be ‘standing by him’ – watched from the public gallery. He will be sentenced on February 8.