STEPHEN PAYNE ILFRACOMBE PLUMBER FACES COURT AFTER INVASIVE SPYING AT NORTH DEVON LEISURE CENTRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Stephen Payne, a 53-year-old plumber from Hillsborough Terrace in Ilfracombe, was brought before Exeter Crown Court to face serious allegations of voyeurism. The incident, which took place at the North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, involved Payne secretly positioning a rear-view mirror beneath cubicles in a changing area, with the intent of secretly observing individuals undressing.

Payne was found guilty of two counts of voyeurism during an earlier trial held at Barnstaple Crown Court. The court proceedings revealed that on May 29 of the previous year, Payne had deliberately placed a small mirror, measuring approximately six inches, in a narrow gap between two dressing cubicles. This covert device allowed him to peer into the private spaces of unsuspecting users, including a father and his young daughter, aged eight, along with her seven-year-old friend.

When confronted and spotted by witnesses, Payne did not deny his actions. Instead, he fled the scene, reportedly exclaiming, “I didn’t do it.” His attempt to justify his behavior included constructing a foot-tall model of a changing room, which he presented to the jury in an effort to explain his conduct that day. However, the prosecution, led by David Evans, dismissed these claims as an attempt by Payne to deceive the public and downplay the severity of his actions.

Following the guilty verdict, the court imposed a fine of £500 on Payne, which he was ordered to pay within 28 days. Additionally, Recorder Nicholas Hall, who presided over the case, emphasized the importance of protecting the public from such invasive behavior. He issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order against Payne, restricting his activities for five years, and mandated that Payne’s details be registered on the Sex Offender Register for the same period.

During sentencing, the judge highlighted the gravity of Payne’s invasion of privacy, stating, “Parents and children can and should expect their privacy to be respected when they are using changing rooms, and your conduct represents a gross invasion of that privacy.” The court also acknowledged the significant impact that publicity surrounding the case had on Payne’s business, which is involved in plumbing and heating services. His defense attorney, Richard Crabb, argued that the negative publicity had severely damaged his client’s business, resulting in a halt to further orders.

Judge Hall concluded by noting that the additional orders, alongside the fine, would serve to protect the community and that the level of media coverage itself was a form of punishment for Payne’s misconduct. The case has left a lasting impression on the community of Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, raising ongoing concerns about privacy and safety in public leisure facilities.