The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Voyeur hid camera in changing rooms
A 'disgusting' photographer who used a covert camera in a changing room to film aspiring models and other women as they got changed for shoots has been jailed.
'Absolute creep' David Glover (48) used a camera disguised as an alarm clock in the changing room at a studio he used in a Cambridgeshire village, as well as other locations, to capture footage of more than 100 women as they got changed, storing the pictures on devices at his home.
The court heard Glover had been a respected photographer in the area for many years, taking family shoots as well as portfolio shots for models and aspiring models.
On Monday, March 27, Glover appeared at Peterborough Crown Court, where he was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
A number of his victims were in court to see him sentenced, with several in tears throughout the hearing.
Some of the victims stood up in court to tell Judge Matthew Lowe how their lives had been turned upside down by Glover's offending, saying they felt shocked, humiliated and violated by the offending, and now had issues trusting others.
‘AN ABSOLUTE CREEP’
One victim labelled Glover as 'an absolute creep,' while another said: "I am disgusted at you and hope you pay for the most heinous of crimes. The world would be a better place without people like you."
Another victim told the court her grandparents still had pictures taken by Glover in their home - but because she could not bring herself to tell them what had happened, they still had the pictures up - which made her feel physically sick when she saw them.
Other victims said that while they had been aspiring models, many no longer dreamed of following a career in fashion.
Many of the women said they feared the films and images could be published online, although the court was
told there was no evidence this had happened.
Thomas Brown, prosecuting, told the court one of Glover's victim's had first become aware of a hidden camera when her partner had spotted it when a shoot was taking place.
He took the memory card, saw what had been filmed on the camera, and told his partner what had happened.
She confronted Glover about the find, but he denied there was any sinister motive behind the camera, saying he had used it as the proprietor of the studio had been accusing him of taking things from the changing room.
But Mr Brown said that as the years went by, the victim continued to worry about why the camera had been put in place, and five years later, she went to the police, and an investigation was started.
The footage seized by police showed there had been more than 100 victims, with 35 identified by police - some after publicity about the case in the media.
Glover was sentenced for offences involving the 35 victims who have been identified, and the court was told if others were identified, he could face further action.
Glover initially stuck to his story when interviewed by police, telling them the camera had been used for security purposes
Butforensicexaminations of his computer revealed that he had downloaded the videos onto other devices, even 'cataloging' them.
NO PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Mr Brown said the footage had been taken over a fouryear period.
Mohammed Latif, defending, urged Judge Lowe to pass a suspended sentence, saying Glover, of Edelweiss View, Tallington, had no previous convictions, and had not offended since his arrest.
He also said Glover was a carer for his elderly mother, and had lost his business.
However, Judge Lowe said an immediate prison term was the only sentence available, saying Glover's victims had been left with feelings of distress, anxiety, humiliation, and had been degraded.
He said Glover had acted 'without a moment's regard' for his victim's privacy.
Along with the prison term, Glover was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, and given a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.
The detective who led the investigation has urged anyone who thinks they could be a victim to come forward so they can get the 'justice they deserve.'
The court heard how police had identified 35 victims some of whom came forward as a result of press coverage of the case - but more than 70 who Glover secretly filmed were still unknown.
Speaking outside court, DC Pete Wise, from Cambridgeshire Police, urged anyone who thinks they might be a victim to come forward.
He said: "If you were photographed in a photo shoot by David Glover, and you think you may be one of these unidentified victims, we ask that you contact Cambridgeshire Constabulary so we can find you the justice you deserve.
"You need the justice you deserve."
PRAISE FOR VICTIMS
DC Wise was also full of praise for the victims who had been identified - some of whom were in court to see Glover jailed.
He said: "I have to praise the strength of the victims, they have been on board all the way through this process, it has been a long process.
"For some of them it has been four years, for some of them three years. It has been very emotional, getting the evidence, and the victim personal statements.
"I've lived and breathed this case for four years, and so it is a relief for me but it is a relief for these victims, they have some form of justice now."
He also said that Glover had shown 'no real remorse' for his offending.