A MAN who took pictures and recorded women in their own homes was caught with hundreds of images and videos on his phone.

Callum Hill, 30, of Holland Road, Westcliff, was charged with five acts of voyeurism for incidents between May 2021 and March 2022.

Hill would record the victims through gaps in ground floor window blinds and often recorded the women when they were naked or partially nude.

He was caught with 96 images and 180 videos from five victims, with 11 other victims who were not identified.

Hill appeared in Basildon Crown Court yesterday for sentencing.

Jonathan Ingram, prosecuting, said: “Mr Hill’s offending came to light on February 21 last year when a witness who lived near one of the victims noticed him in the area.

“She noticed he was looking through windows and taking photos and she took a picture of him doing this.

“The witness then showed the images to the victim who was quite flustered by what she saw."

On April 20, the same victim caught Hill videoing her bedroom window, Hill was caught on CCTV and the victim reported him to the police.

He was arrested on April 21 and his phone was seized.

Hill answered no comment when interviewed by officers but tried to ‘explain’ his legitimate presence in the area.

A large quantity of images was found on his phone in a secure folder, all largely taken through ground floor bedroom windows.

A victim impact statement was read out to the court.

It said: “I found myself quite anxious and paranoid of the circumstances created by these incidents.

“I took substantial precautions to cover my bedroom windows after the fact and my relationship became strained because of it.”

Kevin Toomey, mitigating, added: “This behaviour came later in life and under an unusual set of circumstances.

“He has low self esteem and had his first relationship at 26 which has now ended as a result of his actions.

“Mr Hill has a level of shyness and lack of self confidence described as unhealthy which has perhaps led to this offending.

“He has since been in weekly therapy sessions which he finds useful.”

Judge Shane Collery handed Hill a 13 month sentence suspended for two years, he was also given notification requirement.

Hill must complete a 40 day accredited programme, 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 150 hours of unpaid work and must pay each victim £1,000.