June 2021 Pervert pensioner used hidden camera to spy on kids at beach A pervert pensioner who was caught with more than 300 indecent images of kids after he was caught with a covert camera at a beach was handed a 27 month sentence today. Newry Crown Court heard that despite being convicted by a jury, 66-year-old Christopher Hodgen still protests his innocence of the 19 charges relating to possessing indecent images of children. The jury who convicted Hodgen heard that on 27 July 2019, police were called to The Crescent area of Portstewart when a vigilant member of the public alerted them to suspicious activity. November 2019 Belfast man caught with ‘spy glasses’ near semi-naked boy in seaside town convicted A judge has praised a vigilant member of the public who spotted a man sneakily pressing buttons while holding a pair of covert ‘spy glasses’ to try to record an image of a semi-naked three-year-old boy who was getting changed beside the seaside. Christopher Hodgen (65), of Salisbury Court in Belfast, said he was in Portstewart for a Hugo Duncan show when he was detected at The Crescent area where the child was with his mother in July this year. Hodgen had denied the two charges he faced but was convicted at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday. District Judge Peter King said Hodgen had decided to travel to Portstewart having “armed yourself with a recording device”. The judge added that the design of the glasses and the way in which they were used by Hodgen were “fairly surreptitious”. The defendant had previously entered not-guilty pleas to charges of attempted voyeurism and attempting to take an indecent photo of a child. The case followed an allegation, which was widely covered in the press in the summer, in which a member of the public said he spotted a man using ‘spy glasses’ in a bid to film a young boy changing. At court yesterday a prosecution lawyer said all the evidence in the case had been agreed and after reading statements in his chambers, the judge was then shown the glasses used by Hodgen. The judge told the court he had had the opportunity to read prosecution statements from civilians and police, as well as Hodgen’s interview from July 27. A defence barrister said he had no objections to the witnesses not appearing in court and added that although Hodgen “maintains his innocence”, the defendant did not wish to give evidence in court in his defence. A prosecutor said a witness saw a man – Hodgen – in Portstewart holding glasses and pushing buttons with a “red light” activated while a three-year-old boy who was “naked from the waist down” was nearby getting changed. The court heard the glasses had audio and video capability and had been bought on July 26. Hodgen told police he had been in the Portstewart area to see a show by BBC Radio Ulster presenter Hugo Duncan. Hodgen made no comment to questions about the glasses or his actions near a play area. The prosecutor said when asked by police if there was an “innocent explanation” there had again been no comment. The prosecution lawyer said the defendant “couldn’t have been given more opportunities to give an innocent explanation. He took the decision not to do that”. The prosecutor said the defendant had also decided not to give an account to the court and added that the case against Hodgen was “compelling”. He said Hodgen had been “pushing buttons” in relation to a camera in the glasses although no account was given as to whether he was trying to take a photograph or video. Hodgen’s defence barrister said: “The factual matrix is not in dispute.” Judge King said Hodgen had been given opportunities to comment but the reason he didn’t was that he “had no answer” and “you had no good explanation for the allegations before the court”. The judge said inferences could be drawn from such silences. He added: “This is not a weak prosecution case.” Judge King said the outline of the facts in the statements were “compelling”. The judge said: “You decided to travel to Portstewart having armed yourself with a recording device”. He said the device was “fairly surreptitious” in its design and in the way the defendant used it. The judge wished to commend a witness’ “public service” in informing the police which had now resulted in Hodgen being convicted of both charges. The court was told the defendant had a previous record. Sentencing has been adjourned until December for a pre-sentence report but in the meantime the defendant was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register before leaving court. Judge King said the length of time Hodgen would be on the register would be decided at a later date.