Description A SEX offender has been described as ‘predatory and deviant’ by a judge after being responsible for covertly filming a teenager in a bathroom. Colin Pennell, formerly of Latchford, used technology to spy on the woman and record her as she undressed, showered and used the toilet. The 47-year-old was told that his voyeuristic actions only ceased as he was caught rather than voluntarily, and that he was reluctant to admit he was sexually motivated. He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday, March 13 after pleading guilty to a charge of voyeurism. The court heard from prosecutor Jayne Morris who explained how the teenage victim was taking a morning shower, getting ready for the day ahead. After getting out and while naked, she noticed a recording device in the bathroom window, leaving her ‘very angry’. The complainant checked the device, where she uncovered a number and videos of her naked herself in the bathroom. The discovery left her ‘extremely upset’ and in tears. Cheshire Police were informed, with an examination of the device revealing a total of 275 photos and five videos of the complainant. All of the material was covertly photographed or filmed in the bathroom or shower showing her in varying states of nudity. The court heard how some of the images and videos had no metadata attached, so it was unclear when the photos and videos had been taken. Following investigations, the defendant was arrested and made no comment during his police interview. In an impact statement, the complainant said that the offending has had a big impact on her mental health, leaving her feeling anxious and considering receiving therapy. She has suffered from panic attacks and heart palpitations, which never happened before the offending, while she also now feels paranoid about being watched and does not want to go out anymore. The statement added that the woman’s mental health is ‘very up and down’, while learning what had happened made her feel ‘sick, disgusted and as if her stomach had turned inside out’. Ms Morris revealed to the court that Pennell has two previous convictions for dissimilar matters. In defence of his client, Mark Connor said: “I accept that the case crosses the custody threshold, and that the evidence clearly suggests an established pattern of behaviour.” He added that Pennell is ‘deeply ashamed and remorseful’ for his actions, and asked the court to consider suspending the inevitable prison sentence. This would allow him to engage in a sex offender treatment programme outside of a custodial setting. But this call was rejected by judge Michael Leeming, who concluded: “Your offending was not isolated, and shows a pattern of predatory and deviant sexual offending. “You have been less than frank with probation officers, offering no explanation for your behaviour and not admitting that you were sexually motivated from the outset. “You now accept today for the first time that you were motivated by sexual gratification.” He added: “Had you not been caught, chances are you would have continued to act in that way and not desist voluntarily. “In my mind, appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate imprisonment.” Pennell, now of Snaefell Avenue in Liverpool, was sentenced to eight months in prison. He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order to limit his ability to reoffend and a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim – both for a period of 10 years. In addition, the defendant is now bound to abide by sex offender registration and notification requirements for the next decade.