A Brazilian national has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting using a camera to spy on people using a toilet and shower.
Reginaldo Lima, 46, was arrested after a cleaner found his mobile phone hidden in a toilet at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London.
Subsequent analysis of the phone uncovered video footage of a woman showering with her baby and Lima performing a solo sex act on himself. These clips were recorded somewhere other than the hotel.
Having initially denied the charges, Lima pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism when he attended Westminster Magistrates' Court for trial on 7th December 2018. On that occasion sentencing was adjourned until 28th December pending the completion of probation reports.
Voyeurism is an offence under section 67 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The maximum penalty for voyeurism is two years imprisonment.
Matt Barrowcliffe, prosecuting, said the offence at the hotel happened on 23rd October this year when Lima was working there.
Mr Barrowcliffe said: "Police were called to the Lancaster Hotel in Lancaster Terrace after a cleaner had found a mobile phone in the unisex toilets which had been set up to record.
"That phone belongs to the defendant, who was a contractor there at the time.
"It captures the defendant himself using the toilet. Fortunately the phone is then found within 45 minutes on that occasion."
In respect of the second recording, which was made on 15th October this year, Mr Barrowcliffe said: "The complainant is recorded in her own home.
"The recording is made upside down, the camera appears to be set up under a sink in the bathroom.
"Mr Lima sets up the camera whilst he is naked.
"He appears to move some bottles of cleaning fluid around to conceal it."
Richard Craven, in mitigation, confirmed the hotel toilets were open to the public.
He said: "There is some planning, but nobody was in fact recorded on that first offence so there was no harm in that offence."
Mr Craven told the court that Lima, who was of previous good character, had lost his home and marriage as a result of these offences.
Having considered all of the relevant factors, Magistrates were of the opinion that Lima's offences were so serious that a period of imprisonment was necessary.
Presiding Magistrate Lord Fred Ponsonby sentenced Lima to seven months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He told Lima: "You pleaded guilty on the day of your trial and I can see that you are ashamed of yourself.
"So you have now got a suspended sentence, what that means is if you commit another offence you will go to jail unless it is unjust."
He added: "This is the highest thing we can give you without actually putting you in jail.
"But we have also given you elements of your sentence which can help you because what we want you to do is to do your unpaid work and to do your requirements and not reoffend.
"You know very well that if you go to jail that you will not have a good time, so do what's required and do not come back to court."
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