Former Councillor Jailed for 31 Counts of Voyeurism

Robert Holden, a former Conservative councillor, has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison for secretly filming 28 women over nearly 15 years using hidden cameras in his homes. The court heard emotional testimonies from victims who described feelings of violation and disgust, with one victim being recorded at just 16 years old. Judge Sophie McKone condemned Holden's actions as 'voyeurism on a vast scale', highlighting the extensive nature of the recordings, some lasting over a decade. Holden, who fled to Cape Verde after failing to appear in court, was extradited back to the UK where he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of voyeurism and computer misuse. His offending was first uncovered when a victim discovered a hidden camera in his bathroom, prompting a wider police investigation. The judge noted that Holden's behavior constituted a severe breach of trust, affecting many lives profoundly.