HUGH HUNTER JAILED IN ESSEX FOR CHILD INDECENCY AND VOYEURISM
An elderly man from Essex has been sentenced to prison after secretly recording himself giving sports massages to young girls and possessing indecent images of children.Hugh Hunter's disturbing videos were uncovered on USB drives following a police raid at his home on Irvon Hill Road, Wickford, last year.
The investigation was triggered when authorities discovered that an IP address linked to Hunter’s address had accessed indecent images of children.
During the police search, which occurred while Hunter and his partner were present, officers seized multiple devices.
They found numerous images and voyeuristic videos stored on the USB sticks.
The videos in question had been recorded over a five-year span while Hunter was working as a sports massage therapist for at least two young girls.
Hunter denied having any sexual interest in children, claiming he recorded the videos out of fear that the girls or their parents might accuse him of inappropriate behavior.
However, Judge Shane Collery dismissed this explanation during Hunter’s sentencing at Southend Crown Court on Wednesday, December 8, stating, "Hunter did it for his own gratification." The court was informed that Hunter possessed 62 Category A images—the most serious classification—along with 36 images labeled Category B and 365 images under Category C.
Prosecutor James Lofthouse detailed, "Various recordings were made by Mr.
Hunter himself and saved on USB sticks, made without the knowledge of the girls or their parents.
These recordings took place over several years.
Authorities found the recordings at his residence." He added that one victim felt "uncomfortable" when Hunter asked her to remove clothing.
In a victim impact statement, one of Hunter's victims, now an adult, expressed her feelings: "Finding out through a police investigation has had an impact on me.
I had to go to counseling, and the stress and anxiety caused me to miss work.
I kept replaying the events in my mind.
I feel guilty for never speaking out about it." Mitigating for Hunter, solicitor Daniel Setter acknowledged his client’s recognition that his conduct was "unacceptable" and noted Hunter had admitted guilt early.
Setter also mentioned Hunter’s health issues and advanced age, suggesting these should be considered.
However, Judge Shane Collery emphasized the seriousness of the offences, stating, "Hunter claimed he did it to protect himself from later accusations, but it was driven by a sexual interest in children.
The videos were premeditated, and the motive remains unclear." Hunter was sentenced to 33 months in prison, convicted of two counts of voyeurism and three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
