Hotel manager jailed for spying on guests

10:47am Friday 4th July 2008

A HOTEL manager who put a camera in a guest bedroom to watch a couple having sex has been jailed for six months.

Clarence Birkbeck, who admitted to having a healthy fascination with sex, placed the spy camera between two of the wardrobes in order to focus on the four-poster bed.

The camera was then linked to his bedroom at the Kastle Court Guest House, in Newcomen Terrace, Redcar.

Birkbeck, 67, who denied a charge of voyeurism, was convicted by magistrates after a trial in May at Langbaurgh East Magistrates Court, in Guisborough.

On Thursday, he was jailed for 26 weeks and ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Maureen Rider, chairwoman of the bench, said: "The case is so serious only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

During the trial, Birkbeck admitted placing the device in one of the bedrooms. However, he said it was only to see if the couple were taking drugs.

The court heard how a distressed couple called the police on December 1, last year, after finding the camera. Officers found a TV unit in Birkbeck's bedroom, which was below the room in question.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had stayed in the same room the previous week.

Birkbeck said in his defence that he had heard banging and scraping noises the first time the couple had stayed, and wanted to investigate what they were doing.

Police seized pornographic DVDs and sex toys during a search of the guesthouse.

However, there was no suggestion Birkbeck recorded activities in the room.

Lorraine Cooper, prosecuting, said the incident at the guesthouse had caused problems with the couple's relationship.

She said: "The woman felt raped by the thought that he could be having a sexual kick from watching them. She is totally upset and humiliated by what has happened."

Paul Dixon, mitigating, said Birkbeck was well-known and respected and a man of good character. He said: "He is very remorseful in relation to his actions."

Mr Dixon said Birkbeck intended to appeal.

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