Tanning shop voyeur avoids jail

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A "bungling" voyeur who spied on a 22-year-old woman in a tanning booth has been given a suspended jail term.

Stephen Strange, 43, of Chippenham, who admitted voyeurism, watched the woman undress and lie on a bed in July 2005.

But two minutes into the session, there was a crash and she saw Strange's face appear in a gap in the ceiling.

Sentencing Strange to three months in jail, suspended for two years, a judge said his "bungling actions" had realised the woman's "worst nightmare".

Swindon Crown Court heard that when Strange was challenged by the woman he said: "I just wanted to see what people do in here."

You can imagine how terrified she must have been, not knowing what else you would do Recorder Duncan Adam

Kirsty Real, prosecuting, said: "She was scared and grabbed her clothing and dressed hurriedly. He continued to look."

Strange initially claimed he was drunk and had no recollection of the offence, but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial.

In sentencing, Recorder Duncan Adam said: "It seems to me that through your bungling actions you realised this young woman's worst nightmare.

"You brought it into reality. She was entitled to privacy.

"She was naked, face up on this tanning machine, when you appeared through a gap in the ceiling.

"You can imagine how terrified she must have been, not knowing after you had acted in that bizarre way, what else you might do."

Earlier, Ian Halliday, defending, had told the court his client had suffered from depression and had mental health problems.