NOTTINGHAM MAN JAILED FOR SECRETLY DOWNLOADING NEIGHBOUR'S PRIVATE IMAGES
A Nottingham man named Peter Tomlinson of Broxtowe Lane was involved in a serious privacy breach where he secretly downloaded over 2,000 images of a trusted neighbour, a mother of two, from her security footage.The victim, who felt 'totally destroyed,' explained she had been close to Tomlinson over several years, trusting him to do DIY jobs, care for her pet, and install security cameras at her home.
However, over an eight-month period, Tomlinson repeatedly removed the SD card from her security system and downloaded private images, including nude photos and pictures of her on the toilet.
The victim stated, “He has left me feeling scared to trust anybody and I feel violated and vulnerable.
I feel so hurt, betrayed and extremely sad and I feel stupid for trusting him.
He has destroyed me.” The case proceeded at Nottingham Crown Court, where Tomlinson pleaded guilty to unauthorised access to computer material as an alternative to voyeurism.
He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to attend 40 rehabilitation sessions and a programme aimed at addressing his offending.
The judge remarked that although it was not classified as a sex offence, the motives were sexual, based on the over 2,000 images of the victim.
The victim expressed her disappointment with the justice system, stating, “He has done this to me and my children, and the system that was supposed to protect us has instead made us feel invisible.”
