JOHN ADAMS HEXHAM HOSPITAL TOILET VOYEUR SENTENCE REDUCED IN LONDON COURT
| Red Rose Database
Hexham Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Hexham, a man named John Adams was found guilty of secretly filming individuals in a hospital restroom, an act that has raised serious concerns about privacy and safety in public health facilities. The incident came to light after Adams, a resident of St Wilfrid’s Road in Hexham, Northumberland, was caught in possession of illicit footage that depicted over 50 individuals, including children, using the toilet at Hexham General Hospital.
Adams, aged 54, was initially sentenced to 28 months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court in May. He had pleaded guilty to six counts of voyeurism and three counts of creating indecent photographs of children. The court heard that Adams had installed a hidden camera inside a unisex, single-cubicle toilet at the hospital, which is used by outpatients who may be vulnerable or unwell. The footage captured a disturbing array of individuals, some as young as ten to fourteen years old.
The investigation was triggered when staff at a Newcastle branch of Cash Converters, where Adams had sold an MP3 player, discovered digital footage stored on the device. Upon further inquiry, police uncovered that the footage originated from a covert camera installed in the hospital toilet. Authorities recovered a digital camera, along with numerous memory cards and USB drives from Adams’ residence. Although much of the footage had been deleted, technical experts managed to recover some of it, revealing that the recordings spanned from 2009 to 2012.
It was revealed that Adams, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, admitted that his motive was to capture images of adult women for his own sexual gratification. The court also learned that Adams had experienced depression following the death of his wife in 2011, which his legal team argued should be considered in his sentencing. His medical condition was noted as a factor that could complicate his ability to serve a custodial sentence.
Initially, the Crown Court judge imposed a sentence of 28 months, citing the seriousness of the offences and the need for deterrence. However, this sentence was later appealed. The appeal was heard in London’s Criminal Appeal Court, where judges, including Mrs Justice Simler, reviewed the case. The court acknowledged the gravity of Adams’ actions but concluded that the original sentence was excessive. The judges, sitting alongside Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Sweeney, agreed that a reduced term of 18 months would be more appropriate, taking into account both the aggravating circumstances and mitigating factors presented.
Mrs Justice Simler emphasized that while the offences were serious, the original sentence did not align with sentencing guidelines. The decision to cut the term reflects a careful balancing of the need for justice and the recognition of Adams’ medical and personal circumstances, which may impact his rehabilitation and the overall severity of his punishment.
Adams, aged 54, was initially sentenced to 28 months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court in May. He had pleaded guilty to six counts of voyeurism and three counts of creating indecent photographs of children. The court heard that Adams had installed a hidden camera inside a unisex, single-cubicle toilet at the hospital, which is used by outpatients who may be vulnerable or unwell. The footage captured a disturbing array of individuals, some as young as ten to fourteen years old.
The investigation was triggered when staff at a Newcastle branch of Cash Converters, where Adams had sold an MP3 player, discovered digital footage stored on the device. Upon further inquiry, police uncovered that the footage originated from a covert camera installed in the hospital toilet. Authorities recovered a digital camera, along with numerous memory cards and USB drives from Adams’ residence. Although much of the footage had been deleted, technical experts managed to recover some of it, revealing that the recordings spanned from 2009 to 2012.
It was revealed that Adams, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, admitted that his motive was to capture images of adult women for his own sexual gratification. The court also learned that Adams had experienced depression following the death of his wife in 2011, which his legal team argued should be considered in his sentencing. His medical condition was noted as a factor that could complicate his ability to serve a custodial sentence.
Initially, the Crown Court judge imposed a sentence of 28 months, citing the seriousness of the offences and the need for deterrence. However, this sentence was later appealed. The appeal was heard in London’s Criminal Appeal Court, where judges, including Mrs Justice Simler, reviewed the case. The court acknowledged the gravity of Adams’ actions but concluded that the original sentence was excessive. The judges, sitting alongside Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Sweeney, agreed that a reduced term of 18 months would be more appropriate, taking into account both the aggravating circumstances and mitigating factors presented.
Mrs Justice Simler emphasized that while the offences were serious, the original sentence did not align with sentencing guidelines. The decision to cut the term reflects a careful balancing of the need for justice and the recognition of Adams’ medical and personal circumstances, which may impact his rehabilitation and the overall severity of his punishment.