FRANKLYN PRICE FROM STOCKTON-ON-TEES SENTENCED FOR VOYEURISM AFTER SHOCKING INCIDENT IN NORTON

A disturbing case of voyeurism has come to light involving Franklyn Price, a 57-year-old resident of Carmel Gardens in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees. The incident, which took place in June of the previous year, involved Price taking advantage of an intoxicated young woman after a night out with her friends. The court proceedings revealed that Price had helped the young woman into his home while she was under the influence, and subsequently engaged in a series of inappropriate acts.

According to the prosecution, led by Jonathan Walker, Price offered the woman more alcohol, which contributed to her intoxication. Once she was in a vulnerable state, Price undressed her, exposing her without her consent. He then proceeded to take approximately 20 photographs and three short videos of her in this compromised state. The court heard that the following morning, the woman awoke in Price’s living room, covered with a blanket, with no memory of the events from the night before. She was confused and distressed, and upon discovering her phone, she found the images and videos that Price had taken.

The victim’s distress was palpable, and her inability to recall the incident added to her trauma. Her discovery of the photographs and videos left her deeply affected, and she now struggles with fear and anxiety, feeling too scared to leave her house. Her mental health has suffered significantly as a result of the ordeal.

During the trial, Price denied the allegations, but the court found him guilty of voyeurism. His defense lawyer, Zara Baqri, stated that although her client maintained his innocence, he respected the court’s decision and expressed remorse for any distress caused to the victim. She explained that the images had been deleted, preventing the court from examining them directly. Price claimed that some of the images were of his former long-term partner and a woman he met through a dating website.

Ms Baqri emphasized that Price, who is well known and respected within his community, was 57 years old and that this incident was out of character for him. She highlighted that he has no previous convictions of a similar nature and comes from a close-knit family that has been deeply affected by the case. She also noted that Price feels profound shame for being charged with a serious sexual offence.

Judge Recorder Thomas Moran addressed Price directly, describing his behavior as “despicable” and suggesting that Price saw the situation as an opportunity to exploit the victim. The judge acknowledged the severe impact on the victim, who now suffers from sleep difficulties, fears leaving her home, and experiences high levels of stress and anxiety. The court was told that Price’s remorse appeared to be self-centered rather than genuine concern for the victim.

While the judge recognized that Price deserved a custodial sentence, he took into account the time Price had already served on a curfew and decided against imprisonment. Instead, Price was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements (RAR). Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years, reflecting the seriousness of the offence and the court’s stance on protecting the community from similar incidents.