September 2018 Pervert who secretly filmed girl taking a shower walks FREE from court A “despicable” pervert who secretly filmed a girl taking a shower using his mobile phone has walked free from court. Stephen Blackburn, 63, covertly recorded an unsuspecting child victim in a “monstrous violation” of her privacy. He denied any wrongdoing until police discovered the video also revealed him setting up, and returning to collect, the phone. Liverpool Crown Court today heard Blackburn’s partner was standing by him – despite learning of his sickening crime. And more than half a dozen supporters in the public gallery celebrated when he was handed a suspended jail sentence. Blackburn, of Broughton Avenue, West Kirby, was caught out when the girl spotted his phone, which was set to record. Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said the victim went to see a counsellor and said she believed Blackburn had filmed her. When police raided his home and seized his Samsung Galaxy S7, they discovered a near 20-minute clip on the device. Blackburn, who has no previous convictions, remained silent in his first police interview, then “flatly denied” any offences. He later admitted taking indecent photos of a child, relating to a video classified Category C – the least serious category. Blackburn denied possessing indecent photographs of a child, a charge which was ordered to lie on the file. Last month, Judge Steven Everett warned him prison was “well and truly and option” and that he should put his affairs in order. He requested a pre-sentence report “to understand why it is he did what he did”, adding: “Videoing this girl in the shower is a despicable act.” Judge Conrad said the girl, who declined to make a victim personal statement, was seeking counselling and seeing her GP. He said the ordeal must have been difficult for her and told Blackburn: “This was a monstrous violation of her privacy.” He handed him 15 months in prison, suspended for two years, 180 hours of unpaid work and a 45-day rehabilitation course. Judge Conrad said Blackburn must sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. He said: “You have come very close to going to prison, I hope you understand that. If you breach the order in any way, you will go to prison.” August 2018 Pervert who secretly filmed girl taking a shower using his mobile phone faces jail A pervert who secretly filmed a girl taking a shower using his mobile phone has been told he faces jail. Stephen Blackburn, 63, recorded an unsuspecting child victim in a “despicable” invasion of her privacy. Blackburn, of Broughton Avenue, West Kirby, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon. The defendant, balding with short grey hair and wearing a black suit, white shirt and grey tie, faced two charges. He was accused of taking indecent photos of a child, relating to a video classified Category C – the least serious category. Blackburn was also alleged to have possessed indecent photographs of a child, relating to two Category B still images. He spoke only to admit the first offence and to plead not guilty to possessing the images during a short hearing. Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said the most serious part of the accusations – related to the video. He said the Crown Prosecution Service would not pursue a trial on the second count and asked for it to lie on the file. Judge Steven Everett agreed to adjourn the case for three weeks, before Blackburn is sentenced on September 12. He said: “This is a serious case. He has no previous convictions and it does seem to me he is entitled to have a pre-sentence report. “The court will be greatly assisted [by a report], if only to begin to understand why it is he did what he did. “Videoing this girl in the shower is a despicable act.” Judge Everett granted Blackburn unconditional bail and ordered him to sign on the interim Sex Offenders Register. He said: “The fact I am adjourning this case for a pre-sentence report and giving you bail shouldn’t mean that you should feel custody is not an option. “Custody is well and truly an option in this case. If you have matters and affairs to put in order, you should do so.”