COLIN PENNELL AND SHOCKING VOYEURISM IN WARRINGTON AND LIVERPOOL
A convicted sex offender has been described as ‘predatory and deviant’ by a judge after being found responsible for secretly filming a teenage girl inside her bathroom.Colin Pennell, who previously resided in Latchford and is now living on Snaefell Avenue in Liverpool, was involved in covertly using technology to spy on a young woman and record her in various states of undress.
The incident came to light when the 47-year-old Pennell was brought before Chester Crown Court on Monday, March 13, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of voyeurism.
The court was informed by prosecutor Jayne Morris that the victim, a teenage girl, was preparing for her day by taking a morning shower.
While she was in the bathroom, she noticed a recording device placed in the window, which left her feeling extremely angry and violated.
Upon discovering the device, the girl checked it and found a contact number along with videos showing her in the nude, showering, and using the toilet.
The distress caused by this discovery was profound, leaving her in tears and feeling deeply upset.
The police in Cheshire were promptly notified, leading to an investigation of the device.
Forensic analysis revealed that the device contained a total of 275 photographs and five videos, all covertly taken in the bathroom or shower area, capturing the victim in various states of undress.
The court heard that some of the images and videos lacked metadata, making it difficult to determine exactly when they had been recorded.
Following the investigation, Pennell was arrested but chose not to comment during police interviews.
During the proceedings, the victim provided an impact statement, describing how the incident has severely affected her mental health.
She reported experiencing increased anxiety, panic attacks, and heart palpitations—symptoms she had not previously endured.
She also expressed feelings of paranoia about being watched and a reluctance to leave her home.
The statement further detailed her emotional turmoil, describing her mental health as ‘very up and down’ and recounting how learning about the incident made her feel ‘sick, disgusted and as if her stomach had turned inside out.’ The court was also informed that Pennell had two prior convictions related to similar offenses, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior.
In his defense, solicitor Mark Connor acknowledged that the case met the criteria for immediate custody and highlighted that Pennell was ‘deeply ashamed and remorseful’ for his actions.
Connor requested that the court consider suspending the prison sentence to allow Pennell to participate in a sex offender treatment program outside of prison.
However, Judge Michael Leeming rejected this plea, emphasizing the seriousness and repetitive nature of Pennell’s offending.
The judge stated, “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.” The judge further remarked, “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.” As a result, Colin Pennell was sentenced to eight months in prison.
Additionally, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order designed to prevent future offenses and a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting the victim for the next ten years.
Furthermore, Pennell is now required to comply with sex offender registration and notification obligations for the next decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.
