The trial has begun in the East Flemish city of Ghent of a plumber suspected of having placed concealed cameras to spy on his wife and some of his customers. The prosecution is requesting a 4-year-prison sentence, half of which suspended for the man not only for him having placed the cameras, but also for having stolen UBS sticks and hard drives containing customers’ family photos and also for the possession of a large amount of footage featuring the sexual abuse of children.
The case concerns multiple offences with various civil parties. The man’s ex-wife’s lawyer Laura Otte told journalists that these include people whose USB sticks, hard drives and other photographic material was stolen by the man with the intent of looking at nude photographs of his victims. Other victims, including his then-wife, had hidden cameras installed in their bathrooms. Many images of child abuse were also found on the man’s computer.
The case came to light because his then-wife became suspicious and started to investigate. “She was acting on gut instinct. She found files and images, mainly on his iPad, of herself and other people. Eventually, she contacted the police. Searches were carried out and further examination of the IT material revealed all.”
Only some of his victims have reported what happened. It is possible that many more people were being spied on or had their photographs stolen.
Verdict due on 4 November
The verdict in the trial is due on 4 November. Ms Otte told journalists that “Firstly, there is the pathological problem at play here, which will require help. Extensive treatment will be needed to cure him of his paraphilic disorder.”
Paraphilia is the name given to a group of sexual disorders in which contact with an equal sexual partner is not sufficient and sexual arousal is sought through such other things as objects, images, degrading behavior and even child abuse. It is considered to be a disorder from the moment harm is caused to others.
“Secondly there is violation people's privacy and trust. Where would it have ended had his ex-wife not found out?’.