Ex Councillor jailed for voyeurism offences

An ex Calderdale councillor has been jailed for over been jailed after secretly filmed dozens of victims over a 14-year period.

51 year old Robert Holden from Sowerby Bridge, was sentenced for 31 counts of voyeurism and seven of computer misuse.

DI Jarrod McSharry of Calderdale District Police said: “It is hard to think of a worse or more devious abuse of trust than that committed by Robert Holden against his victims.

“Holden used his skills in IT to set up elaborate spying equipment which he used to commit multiple voyeurism offences against large numbers of persons who had no idea they were being filmed.

“Victims were horrified to discover how Holden had abused their basic right to privacy and dignity by setting up cameras in a bathroom and bedroom for his own perverted gratification.

“I want to thank those victims for their bravery in supporting what became a significant and long running investigation to unravel Holden’s extensive offending.”

He added: “We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending to come forwards. All reports of sexual offences are treated with the utmost seriousness and fully investigated by specialist officers, with the needs of victims are at the heart of every investigation.”