SIMON TUNSTALL AND SHOCKING VOYEURISM IN MERSEYSIDE
A disturbing case of voyeurism has come to light involving Simon Tunstall, a 45-year-old man from Fleet Lane, St Helens, in Merseyside.Tunstall was found to have installed a covert camera with the intent of secretly observing a teenage girl.
Over a period of approximately four weeks in May 2019, the camera transmitted live footage of the girl to his mobile phone, capturing her in various states of undress.
Initially, Tunstall denied any involvement in the offences, but as the investigation progressed, he eventually pleaded guilty to charges of voyeurism and the production of indecent images of a child.
The authorities discovered the extent of his actions after arresting him; a search of his mobile device revealed a link to the hidden camera, along with four images depicting the girl in different stages of undress.
The incident took place in Merseyside, with Tunstall residing in St Helens.
The case was brought before Liverpool Crown Court, where the prosecution, led by Cheryl Mottram, detailed the timeline and nature of the offences.
She explained that Tunstall admitted to setting up the camera after being caught, but he claimed that his actions were not driven by sexual gratification.
Initially, he pleaded not guilty, but he later changed his plea to guilty.
A victim impact statement was read aloud during the court proceedings, revealing the profound emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon the teenage girl.
The statement described her feelings of trauma and her ongoing state of anxiety since the incident.
It was also disclosed that she had attempted to take her own life due to depression stemming from the experience.
The victim expressed her despair, stating, "I don't think I'll ever recover from the problems that Simon's actions have caused me," and added, "I never wanted to be a victim but Simon has made me one." In his defense, lawyer Paul Becker emphasized that Tunstall felt deep shame for his conduct and acknowledged the trauma caused to his victim.
He highlighted his client's clean criminal record, his guilty plea, and his employment history as mitigating factors.
Becker also noted that Tunstall suffers from depression and anxiety.
Judge Gary Woodhall delivered the sentence, condemning Tunstall for his actions.
He stated, "You installed a secret camera and did it for your own sexual gratification," and pointed out that the images were sent to an email address called 'Size11,' a reference to the size of Tunstall's penis.
The judge emphasized that Tunstall's motivations were sexual in nature and that the victim's life was profoundly affected, with her mental health deteriorating to the point where she felt compelled to consider ending her life.
The judge also addressed the period of time between the offences and the sentencing, noting that Tunstall had been under a suspended sentence for the past three years while awaiting judgment.
Despite acknowledging his previous good character and remorse, Judge Woodhall concluded that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
Consequently, Tunstall was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Additionally, Tunstall was ordered to sign a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was issued a restraining order to keep him away from the victim, aiming to prevent any further contact or harm.
This case underscores the serious nature of voyeurism and the lasting impact such crimes can have on victims, especially minors in Merseyside.
