UXBRIDGE SEX OFFENDER PETER HARTLEY JAILED FOR SPY CAMERA IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE TOILETS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about privacy and safety, Peter Hartley, a 50-year-old maintenance worker from Uxbridge, has been sentenced to prison for secretly installing a spy camera in the ladies' toilets at Pinewood Studios, located in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.

According to court reports, the incident occurred in June when a female employee working on the latest James Bond film at Pinewood Studios discovered the hidden device. The camera was cleverly concealed behind a grille in the restroom, designed to be discreet but ultimately caught the attention of the vigilant worker. The woman noticed a peculiar reflection of light emanating from the grille area, which she described as similar to the glint off a watch face. Using a screwdriver, she carefully removed the grille and uncovered the miniature, motion-activated camera.

The court heard that the device was marketed explicitly as a 'spy camera,' and Hartley had taken additional steps to avoid detection. Prosecutor Daniel Wright explained that Hartley had covered the camera’s LED light with a piece of tape, attempting to obscure its presence. This act of deception underscores the malicious intent behind the installation.

Hartley's criminal history reveals a pattern of similar offenses dating back over a decade. He has previously been convicted for placing cameras in a council building in Coventry in 2009 and for installing a device in the changing rooms of a leisure centre in 2016. Overall, he has accumulated three convictions for eight separate offenses related to voyeurism and unauthorized surveillance.

Following his arrest, Hartley admitted to the offense and later pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court. His admission of guilt was accompanied by a victim impact statement from the young woman who discovered the camera. She described suffering from mental health issues and experiencing severe anxiety as a result of the invasion of her privacy.

Judge Francis Sheridan sentenced Hartley to 16 months in prison and ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. In his remarks, the judge expressed profound concern over the impact of Hartley's actions, stating that the victim’s life had been 'devastated by a dirty-minded individual who preys on women.' The case has sparked widespread outrage and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance against such invasive and predatory behavior.