BRIDGWATER OFFENDER JOHN BOOBYER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER ADMISSION OF INVOLVEMENT IN SHOWER CAMERA SCANDAL

In August 2014, a man named John Boobyer, aged 60 and residing on Orchard Way in Woolavington, narrowly escaped a jail sentence after admitting to crimes involving hidden cameras and indecent images. At Taunton Crown Court on July 30, Boobyer chose to participate in a sex offender treatment program at the last moment, thus avoiding immediate imprisonment.

Boobyer previously pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism related to setting up a concealed camera in the bathroom of a woman he knew, which recorded her daughter in the shower from January to April of the previous year. He also admitted to four counts of creating indecent images of a child.

The court revealed that Boobyer had offered to carry out some DIY work, including installing a light in the woman's bathroom. In April 2013, when the woman was showering, Boobyer entered her loft. Prosecutor Gregory Gordon explained: “She noticed the shower curtain had been moved and discovered a hole, then the camera. Mr Boobyer was in the loft at the time, and upon realizing he was caught, he panicked and put his foot through the ceiling.”

In a statement, Boobyer reportedly said: “I’d fancied her for years and had the hots for her. So I thought it would be nice to see what she looked like.” Police found the camera and indecent images, some explicitly labeled as “EX.”

Defending him, Patrick Mason highlighted Boobyer’s prior community involvement, mentioning that he founded Bridgwater majorettes troupe Chameleon Batonettes in 1990. Mason described him as “a man of previously good character” who “had a strong involvement in the community.” He argued that if there were any prior suspicious behavior, it would have been detected earlier and emphasized that Boobyer led a “responsible, law-abiding, useful life.”

Initially, Boobyer refused to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offender Programme, claiming he did not see himself as a sex offender. However, Judge David Ticehurst questioned his judgment, asking if he was “mad,” and emphasized that “fifty-something-year-old men do not set up cameras to look at young girls in showers unless there’s something wrong with them.”

After some time in custody to reconsider, Boobyer decided to undertake the program. When asked how he found the experience in the cells, he simply replied, “Quiet.”

Judge Ticehurst sentenced Boobyer to a three-year community order with conditions requiring him to report to a probation officer. Additionally, he was issued a sexual offences prevention order for five years, ordered to sign the sex offenders' register, and pay costs of £535 plus a £60 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson for Chameleon Batonettes clarified that the troupe was not involved in the incidents, stating: “The committee confirm these events did not involve the Chameleon Batonette troupe in any way. The unfortunate events as reported did not involve the team and did not occur at any majorette or associated event. We confirm that Mr Boobyer voluntarily resigned his responsibilities within the troupe as soon as the allegations were made.”