KENDAL MAN CHRISTOPHER TOWNSON SENTENCED FOR VOYEURISM NEAR CARNFORTH

In June 2013, a man from Kendal, identified as Christopher Townson, faced legal consequences after an incident involving voyeurism at a leisure centre in Cumbria. The incident took place at a swimming pool located within a caravan park near Carnforth, where Townson, aged 25 and residing on Jenkin Rise in Kendal, was caught on camera secretly filming a 15-year-old girl as she was changing behind a partition wall.

Townson's actions came to light when he used his mobile phone to record the girl without her knowledge or consent. The footage was discovered during an investigation, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial at Carlisle Crown Court. During the proceedings, Townson denied the charge of voyeurism, claiming that his intent was innocent — he was searching for his daughter's hair clips, which he claimed he believed were misplaced nearby. However, the court did not accept his explanation, and he was convicted of the offence.

As a result of his conviction, Townson was sentenced to eight weeks in prison. However, the sentence was suspended for a period of 12 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period. Additionally, the court mandated that he register as a sex offender for five years, a measure intended to monitor and prevent future misconduct of this nature.

Townson, a married father of two, now faces the lasting consequences of his actions, which have been publicly condemned and have brought attention to issues of privacy and safety in public leisure facilities across Cumbria.