CHARLES REED'S SHOCKING VOYEURISM IN BASSINGBOURN AND ROYSTON: SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT SPYING ON YOUNG WOMAN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Bassingbourn and Royston, Charles Reed, a 60-year-old former lorry driver, has been sentenced to six months in prison after committing a serious voyeurism offence. The incident took place shortly after Reed had completed a specialized internet sex offender treatment programme, raising concerns about his ongoing risk to the public.

According to court proceedings at Cambridge Crown Court, Reed, who was residing in Royston at the time, took clandestine measures to invade the privacy of a young woman aged 23. He drilled a hole above a door leading into her bedroom in Bassingbourn, through which he installed a camera. His intent was to monitor her without her knowledge, and he watched the live footage on a television screen, an act that constitutes a grave breach of privacy and trust.

The court also revealed that Reed’s latest criminal activity was a clear violation of a previously imposed three-year community order. This order was originally put in place in October 2010 after Reed was found in possession of indecent photographs of children and extreme pornography involving animals, including dogs, horses, monkeys, chickens, and fish. The breach of this order underscores a pattern of concerning behavior and a failure to adhere to legal restrictions.

During police interrogation, Reed admitted that his actions were driven by sexual gratification. He pleaded guilty to the charge of voyeurism, which covered the period from July to November 2012. His frankness with law enforcement officials highlighted the seriousness of his misconduct and his awareness of the criminal nature of his actions.

Mitigating the case, Erin Haupt explained that no recordings of the images were made, and Reed was transparent with police about what he had done. Despite this, Judge Anthony Bate emphasized the gravity of the offence during sentencing. He stated, “You installed a camera so you could spy upon a 23-year-old woman while she thought she was in the privacy of her own room. You wanted to see her naked.”

Judge Bate underscored the severity of Reed’s actions, describing the offence as carefully planned to avoid detection. As a result, he ordered Reed to serve an immediate prison sentence. The judge also decided that the remainder of the three-year community order for the previous pornography offences should continue, and Reed was mandated to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to society.