JOHN BERRY AND HIS SHOCKING VOYEURISM IN HOLSWORTHY AND SWINDON
| Red Rose Database
Holsworthy Rapist
A disturbing series of voyeuristic crimes involving John Berry has come to light, revealing a long history of illegal and invasive behavior across multiple locations, including Swindon and Holsworthy.
The troubling allegations initially surfaced in 2018 when a woman reported to the police that Berry had attempted to bribe her son to secretly record her while she was asleep. Although this specific claim did not lead to immediate charges, it prompted a police investigation that uncovered a hidden camera set up in the bathroom ceiling of Berry’s residence, where he lived with his mother in Swindon. The device was connected to a motion sensor, suggesting premeditation and deliberate intent to spy on unsuspecting victims.
During the court proceedings held at Swindon Crown Court on a recent Friday, prosecutors detailed how John Berry, aged 36, had been engaging in voyeurism and secretly filming women and young girls for over ten years. His activities reportedly began in the mid-2000s, with the usage of covert cameras installed in his home in Witney and at a friend’s property when they were away. Berry employed various methods including hidden cameras in USB sticks to record intimate acts, as well as capturing images undergirls’ skirts on buses. Among his victims was a child, whom Berry claimed was older than the age she appeared when he photographed her, although she believed she was around five or six years old at the time.
Berry admitted to detectives that he had deleted some of the images and videos from his computer but confessed that he had a longstanding sexual interest in minors. He acknowledged that he was addicted to capturing videos of people without their knowledge, emphasizing his awareness of the severity of his actions and expressing remorse. When questioned by authorities, Berry stated, "I know what I’ve done. I’m not going to try and argue my way out of it." Forensic investigators retrieved numerous files from his devices, revealing folders containing footage and images of five women and girls, some dating back nearly a decade.
The investigation uncovered a significant cache of indecent images, including approximately 150 in Category A—depicting the most severe forms of child abuse, such as child rape and videos of children as young as three—and over 2,700 in Category C. The files also contained 83 videos classified under Category A. Importantly, none of the files were accessible or had been shared beyond Berry’s possession, indicating they were stored privately.
At the hearing, Berry sat quietly while a victim personal statement was played, in which a woman described the devastating impact of his actions. She revealed she suffers from anxiety and has been unable to leave her house since learning she had been secretly filmed. She expressed her fears about her children, fearing that hidden cameras might still be placed in her home or elsewhere, which has left her feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Berry to three and a half years in prison, making it clear that justice needed to be served given the gravity of his offenses. During the sentencing, the judge addressed the emotional toll on victims, noting that one girl’s victim impact statement expressed guilt, which the judge firmly stated was misplaced, as Berry was the sole offender responsible. The judge emphasized that those who download and possess indecent images of children contribute to a criminal industry that causes lifelong physical and psychological harm.
Berry, who is currently residing on Totnes Road in Paignton, pleaded guilty during proceedings at the magistrates’ court to charges of voyeurism, producing indecent images of children, and possessing such images in categories A, B, and C. His defense lawyer, Gareth James, requested that the court consider a lesser penalty, highlighting Berry’s cooperation with police, his remorse, and his efforts to address his dangerous interests through courses designed to curb his attraction to young girls. It was also noted that Berry is self-employed and acts as the primary caregiver for his mother.
Despite the mitigation efforts, the judge determined that the seriousness of Berry’s offenses warranted immediate imprisonment. As part of his sentence, Berry will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, underscoring the court’s determination to prevent any future harm and to protect the community from his abusive actions.
The troubling allegations initially surfaced in 2018 when a woman reported to the police that Berry had attempted to bribe her son to secretly record her while she was asleep. Although this specific claim did not lead to immediate charges, it prompted a police investigation that uncovered a hidden camera set up in the bathroom ceiling of Berry’s residence, where he lived with his mother in Swindon. The device was connected to a motion sensor, suggesting premeditation and deliberate intent to spy on unsuspecting victims.
During the court proceedings held at Swindon Crown Court on a recent Friday, prosecutors detailed how John Berry, aged 36, had been engaging in voyeurism and secretly filming women and young girls for over ten years. His activities reportedly began in the mid-2000s, with the usage of covert cameras installed in his home in Witney and at a friend’s property when they were away. Berry employed various methods including hidden cameras in USB sticks to record intimate acts, as well as capturing images undergirls’ skirts on buses. Among his victims was a child, whom Berry claimed was older than the age she appeared when he photographed her, although she believed she was around five or six years old at the time.
Berry admitted to detectives that he had deleted some of the images and videos from his computer but confessed that he had a longstanding sexual interest in minors. He acknowledged that he was addicted to capturing videos of people without their knowledge, emphasizing his awareness of the severity of his actions and expressing remorse. When questioned by authorities, Berry stated, "I know what I’ve done. I’m not going to try and argue my way out of it." Forensic investigators retrieved numerous files from his devices, revealing folders containing footage and images of five women and girls, some dating back nearly a decade.
The investigation uncovered a significant cache of indecent images, including approximately 150 in Category A—depicting the most severe forms of child abuse, such as child rape and videos of children as young as three—and over 2,700 in Category C. The files also contained 83 videos classified under Category A. Importantly, none of the files were accessible or had been shared beyond Berry’s possession, indicating they were stored privately.
At the hearing, Berry sat quietly while a victim personal statement was played, in which a woman described the devastating impact of his actions. She revealed she suffers from anxiety and has been unable to leave her house since learning she had been secretly filmed. She expressed her fears about her children, fearing that hidden cameras might still be placed in her home or elsewhere, which has left her feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Berry to three and a half years in prison, making it clear that justice needed to be served given the gravity of his offenses. During the sentencing, the judge addressed the emotional toll on victims, noting that one girl’s victim impact statement expressed guilt, which the judge firmly stated was misplaced, as Berry was the sole offender responsible. The judge emphasized that those who download and possess indecent images of children contribute to a criminal industry that causes lifelong physical and psychological harm.
Berry, who is currently residing on Totnes Road in Paignton, pleaded guilty during proceedings at the magistrates’ court to charges of voyeurism, producing indecent images of children, and possessing such images in categories A, B, and C. His defense lawyer, Gareth James, requested that the court consider a lesser penalty, highlighting Berry’s cooperation with police, his remorse, and his efforts to address his dangerous interests through courses designed to curb his attraction to young girls. It was also noted that Berry is self-employed and acts as the primary caregiver for his mother.
Despite the mitigation efforts, the judge determined that the seriousness of Berry’s offenses warranted immediate imprisonment. As part of his sentence, Berry will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, underscoring the court’s determination to prevent any future harm and to protect the community from his abusive actions.