Fermanagh man handed suspended sentence for recording images of child

Charles Campbell (54), of Mantlin Road, Kesh, previously pleaded guilty to two charges of installing equipment for voyeurism, two counts of secretly recording another person in a private act, and one of attempted voyeurism.

He also admitted to making and possessing an indecent image of a child.

Campbell further pleaded guilty to attempting to possess and attempting to make an indecent image of a child.

All of the offences were committed on dates between January, 2018 and October, 2021.

It was the Prosecution’s case that the victim in the case – who was nine at the time – realised a phone was placed behind the bath curtain, pointing through a gap, but it was not recording.

When Campbell was challenged about this, he insisted it was accidental.

At a later date, the child was again using the bathroom when a small camera fell from the roof, which she assumed was recording as a light was on, and she covered it over.

Campbell was challenged again, saying the object was a "sensor for the light''.

Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard no images were captured on that occasion.

Police were alerted, with Campbell denying everything during interviews, and an examination of all seized devices found no images.

But in November, 2021, Campbell contacted police, saying he wanted to tell all, and he admitted he had been watching the child and was in possession of some footage.

Two weeks ago, Campbell had his bail revoked and was remanded into custody after he sent his victim's mother angry text messages, following the publication of a newspaper article on his case.

As part of his bail conditions, the father-of four was ordered not to have any contact with his victim or her mother.

A detective told Omagh Magistrates' Court two weeks ago that the message read: “Hope you’re happy now you b*****d.

"But let me tell you this is not over. This is going to be a bad time and you’ll need a black coat a lot.”

The detective said this had left the woman “fearful and anxious”.

At the sentencing hearing last Wednesday, February 8, Judge Paul Ramsey KC said: “This was premeditated voyeuristic activity. It was a deep intrusion into the complainant's private life.”

The Probation Service recommended a period of statutory supervision and a programme of work to deal with Campbell's sexual offending.

However, the judge said: “I disagree with that. This is a case where the custody threshold has been passed, and the only issue for me is whether that should be immediate or a suspended sentence.”

Judge Ramsey said that following his breach of bail, Campbell had spent a week in custody awaiting sentence.

“I can say without fear of contradiction that that period in custody for a 54-year-old man with no previous convictions has been a salutary lesson.

“It is also an indication to him that should he transgress over the period of this suspended sentence, he knows what is waiting for him.

Addressing his comments to Campbell, Judge Ramsey said: “It has been a difficult week for you, but it has given you a real preview of what is waiting for you if you reoffend, but I think that is unlikely, given your experience this week.”

Campbell was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, and was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for a period of five years.