CHLEO SUNTER CAUGHT IN MIDDLESBROUGH: HORRIFIC VOYEURISM AT ALDI AND DARLINGTON RAILWAY STATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Chleo Sunter, aged 37, has been found guilty of secretly recording men in various public locations across Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire. The offences involved covertly capturing images and videos of men using toilet facilities, including urinals and cubicles, without their knowledge or consent. These illicit recordings were made at multiple sites, notably within an Aldi supermarket and the Captain Cook Square shopping centre in Middlesbrough, as well as at Darlington’s railway station.

Between January and November 2023, Sunter amassed a collection of 790 photographs and 15 videos depicting men in vulnerable moments inside toilet cubicles and at urinals. The footage was obtained through covert recording devices, which he used to capture private acts of unsuspecting individuals. The sheer volume of material uncovered highlights the extent of his offending, and the nature of the recordings underscores a disturbing pattern of voyeuristic behavior.

Sunter’s criminal history includes a previous conviction for sexual assault in 2012, when he was known as John Leslie Graham. Additionally, in 2014, he was convicted of possessing extreme pornographic images. His latest offenses came to light during a routine assessment conducted by a sexual harm prevention order manager, who was checking whether Sunter was complying with a previously issued court order. It was during this investigation that authorities discovered the extensive collection of illicit material.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe detailed the nature of the recordings, stating, “Some of the males were stood at the urinals. Some were recorded under the cubicles.” The evidence presented in court confirmed that Sunter had intentionally recorded individuals engaged in private acts, with the intent of deriving sexual gratification from viewing these images, all without the consent of the victims.

At Teeside Crown Court, Sunter pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism. These charges involved recording individuals during private acts with the knowledge that they did not consent, between January and November 2023. He also admitted to six breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, which he had previously been subject to. The court heard that the discovery of the material was made during a routine check by his sex offender manager, who was verifying compliance with the court’s restrictions.

John Nixon, representing Sunter, informed the court that his client “no longer has a phone or laptop with internet access,” suggesting efforts to prevent further offending. It was also revealed that Sunter had already served eight months in prison on remand after admitting some of the charges at the magistrate’s court.

The court was made aware of Sunter’s history of alcohol abuse, which may have contributed to his behavior. However, Judge Geoffrey Marson emphasized that while he was aware of Sunter’s mental health difficulties and particular circumstances, these factors had little or no bearing on the seriousness of the offenses committed. Sunter was ultimately sentenced to 26 months in prison for his actions, marking a significant step in addressing the disturbing nature of his crimes and providing some measure of justice for the victims involved.