Aspiring model, 26, who hid a spy camera inside a tanning booth to film a naked woman breaks down in tears as he is jailed
- James Bettles put HD camera in towel at salon in Enfield, North London
- Tore hole in material so he could get a good view of woman undressing
- He was caught after camera was found in salon and police were called
- Admitted voyeurism and jailed for four weeks by Highbury magistrates
Aspiring model: James Bettles, 26, has been jailed after hiding a spy camera inside a tanning booth to film a naked woman
An aspiring model who hid a spy camera inside a tanning booth to film a naked woman broke down in tears as he was jailed for four weeks.
James Bettles, 26, booked himself in at the Glow salon in Enfield Chase, North London, and placed his high definition device inside a towel.
The singer-songwriter then tore a hole in the material so he could get a good view of the woman undressing for her appointment.
But when Bettles returned to collect his camera, he found it had been moved – and, after speaking to the manager, he was told police had been called.
He admitted two counts of voyeurism and one of attempting to observe a person doing a private act at Highbury Magistrates’ Court.
Bettles was jailed following the incident on October 28 this year. Police also searched his car where they found a tablet stashed in the spare wheel.
On the device they found Bettles had Photoshopped a picture of the victim’s face with his genitals right next to her mouth.
Voyeurism: Bettles placed his high definition device inside a towel, then tore a hole in the material so he could get a good view of the woman undressing for her appointment
Tom Gill, prosecuting, said: ‘When he was interviewed he admitted he had once been flat sitting he had installed a camera in the bathroom.
‘The victim had attended the address and had used the toilet, she later said that on that occasion he had repeatedly asked her if she wanted to have a shower.
‘He has an unhealthy obsession with her. He admits making the picture for sexual gratification.’
Magistrate Greville Waterman said: ‘These were pre-meditated offences, they were carefully planned and they were highly unpleasant.
‘They were also psychologically very damaging to someone who you knew. It was a total breach of trust.
‘We are certain that these offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.’
Police found a tablet stashed in the spare wheel of his car. On the device they found Bettles had Photoshopped a picture of the victim’s face with his genitals right next to her mouth
In a statement read to the court, the victim said: ‘Since discovering what he’s done I’ve been extreme stressed and shocked.
‘I’ve been constantly going over in my head what else he could have done and when else he could have filmed me. I feel my privacy has been completely invaded.’
Gero di Piazza, defending, said Bettle suffers from anxiety and depression, and has been out of work for several years.
On his StarNow profile he describes himself as a ‘passionate singer/songwriter’ and says he is looking for work as an actor, model, musician and photographer.
Mr di Piazza said: ‘He says it’s the worst thing he’s done in his life - he’s supported by his father and brother who sit in the back of court.
‘It’s taken him four lots of medication just to come to court because of his anxiety and depression.
Location: Bettles was jailed following the incident on October 28 this year at the Glow tanning salon (pictured) in Enfield Chase, North London
‘This is not a prolific offender, we are talking about one person with an infatuation with one other person.’
Bettles will be required to sign on to the sex offenders register for five years within three days after his release from prison.
A Sexual Offences Prevention Order was also imposed, prohibiting Bettles from possessing any internet-enabled device without the capacity to retain internet history.
Bettles was also banned from deleting the internet history of any device in his possession and from possessing any device capable of recording any still or moving images in a public place, other than a mobile phone.
He is also prohibited from entering any beauty or tanning salon, with the exception of a barbers catering solely to male clients, for five years. He was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.
Bettles wept and held his head in his hands as the sentence was given and hugged his father and brother in the well of the court before he was led away to the cells.
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