AARON LEAN'S SHOCKING CRIME IN ST AUSTELL: HOTEL VOYEUR AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL IN CORNWALL
| Red Rose Database
St Austell Child Sexual Abuser
In April 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Aaron Lean, a man from Springfields, Bugle, in St Austell, who was convicted of heinous acts committed at a hotel where he was employed. The court proceedings revealed that Lean had engaged in a prolonged period of voyeurism and possession of indecent images of children, actions that have sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond.
Lean, aged 35 at the time, appeared before Truro Crown Court on Friday, April 29, facing two charges of voyeurism and five charges related to the creation and possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of minors. The offences spanned from 2018 to 2020 and took place within the premises of a hotel in St Austell, where Lean was working during that period.
The court was informed that Lean had cunningly concealed a small camera within a hollowed-out section of a bin in the ladies' restroom of the hotel. This device was strategically placed to capture private moments of women using the facilities, including images of their intimate areas. Evidence indicated that the camera had been in place for an extended period, with one hotel staff member recognizing a hairstyle in the footage that matched their own from a few years prior.
The hotel management discovered the device on February 24, 2020, and promptly contacted the police. The authorities responded swiftly, and the following day, officers visited Lean’s residence. During the search, they confiscated multiple electronic devices, including several phones. An examination of these devices uncovered hundreds of indecent images, with 187 classified as Category A, representing the most severe level of child exploitation material. The remaining images fell into two other categories, all depicting disturbing content involving minors.
Alarmingly, the youngest child depicted in these images was only four years old. Further investigation revealed that Lean had attempted to delete some of these files, including images involving a colleague from the hotel. Forensic analysis also uncovered the use of cleaning software designed to erase digital evidence, indicating an attempt to conceal his activities.
Additional evidence came to light on March 24 of the following year, when police found that Lean was accessing indecent material through file-sharing websites. During this investigation, officers discovered two more phones hidden within his partner’s clothing, containing further Category A, B, and C images. When questioned by law enforcement, Lean refused to comment, choosing silence over cooperation.
Judge Stephen Carr addressed Lean directly before sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He stated, “Between 2018 and 2020, you were employed in a local hotel. You took the opportunity to place a spy camera in the ladies’ toilets. You did so by hollowing a bin in such a way to take photos of their anuses and vaginas. You did so for a number of years. The effect on those who are filmed in this way is devastating. The idea that a work colleague is filming them in that way is devastating. When phones were seized, a significant amount of child sexual abuse images was found. This was deliberate offending for sexual gratification. I do not think there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
As a result, Lean was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison and will be registered as a sex offender. Before being taken into custody, he expressed remorse, apologizing for his actions and acknowledging, “I realize I’ve got a huge problem.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community in St Austell, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding against such disturbing crimes.
Lean, aged 35 at the time, appeared before Truro Crown Court on Friday, April 29, facing two charges of voyeurism and five charges related to the creation and possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of minors. The offences spanned from 2018 to 2020 and took place within the premises of a hotel in St Austell, where Lean was working during that period.
The court was informed that Lean had cunningly concealed a small camera within a hollowed-out section of a bin in the ladies' restroom of the hotel. This device was strategically placed to capture private moments of women using the facilities, including images of their intimate areas. Evidence indicated that the camera had been in place for an extended period, with one hotel staff member recognizing a hairstyle in the footage that matched their own from a few years prior.
The hotel management discovered the device on February 24, 2020, and promptly contacted the police. The authorities responded swiftly, and the following day, officers visited Lean’s residence. During the search, they confiscated multiple electronic devices, including several phones. An examination of these devices uncovered hundreds of indecent images, with 187 classified as Category A, representing the most severe level of child exploitation material. The remaining images fell into two other categories, all depicting disturbing content involving minors.
Alarmingly, the youngest child depicted in these images was only four years old. Further investigation revealed that Lean had attempted to delete some of these files, including images involving a colleague from the hotel. Forensic analysis also uncovered the use of cleaning software designed to erase digital evidence, indicating an attempt to conceal his activities.
Additional evidence came to light on March 24 of the following year, when police found that Lean was accessing indecent material through file-sharing websites. During this investigation, officers discovered two more phones hidden within his partner’s clothing, containing further Category A, B, and C images. When questioned by law enforcement, Lean refused to comment, choosing silence over cooperation.
Judge Stephen Carr addressed Lean directly before sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He stated, “Between 2018 and 2020, you were employed in a local hotel. You took the opportunity to place a spy camera in the ladies’ toilets. You did so by hollowing a bin in such a way to take photos of their anuses and vaginas. You did so for a number of years. The effect on those who are filmed in this way is devastating. The idea that a work colleague is filming them in that way is devastating. When phones were seized, a significant amount of child sexual abuse images was found. This was deliberate offending for sexual gratification. I do not think there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
As a result, Lean was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison and will be registered as a sex offender. Before being taken into custody, he expressed remorse, apologizing for his actions and acknowledging, “I realize I’ve got a huge problem.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community in St Austell, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding against such disturbing crimes.