A PAEDOPHILE who had over 100 indecent images of children also filmed a woman sunbathing in her swimsuit without her knowing.

Craig Dunderdale, 36, previously of Eversley Court, Chester but now living with his parents in Corwen, previously pleaded guilty to several charges of indecent, prohibited and extreme pornography images when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, September 23, Recorder Richard Pratt imposed a 10-month suspended sentence.

Prosecuting, Richard Edwards said police arrested Dunderdale at his home address on May 14, 2020, having had their suspicions he was downloading indecent images proved correct.

Dunderdale's computer and mobile phone were seized.

A total of six indecent images found – including one video – were assessed as category A – the most serious category, with 29 at category B and 85 at category C.

There were also 1,667 extreme pornography images and 64 prohibited images of children.

The images were mainly of girls aged between six and 12, while Dunderdale had made a number of search terms to seek out such material.

Upon examination of the phone, there were also 50 images and three videos of a woman sunbathing.

Police tracked down that woman and informed her what Dunderdale had done.

The victim in the case – who cannot be identified – read out her victim impact statement in court, in which she said she now had "massive anxiety", and Dunderdale had "completely degraded" her and invaded her privacy.

"You deserve nothing but prison time in my opinion. I can honestly say I hate you," she added.

In police interview, Dunderdale admitted what he had done and admitted getting sexual gratification from the images.

He had no previous convictions.

Defending, Alexander Leach said Dunderdale would be subjected to an onerous Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The number of indecent images was not as "substantial" as seen in other cases of this type.

Mr Leach added: "He offers no justification – he is absolutely ashamed."

Of the voyeurism charge, Mr Leach said Dunderdale hoped to "offer some effort to repair the damage".

He had written a letter of apology which, if the victim ever wished to read, she could do so, but did not want to cause her further anguish.

Mr Recorder Pratt said that, "very distressingly", police found the footage of the woman sunbathing.

The matter of the indecent images, he said, "outrages and disgusts all right-thinking people", and Dunderdale's behaviour was "nothing short of disgraceful".

The judge added that members of the public may be surprised that voyeurism carries a starting sentence of six months, but those were the guidelines imposed by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.

He added while there was a good prospect of rehabilitation – meaning the sentence could be suspended – Dunderdale should pay a "token" sum of compensation to the victim for the distress caused.

Dunderdale was handed a 10-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, and must carry out 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours unpaid work.

He must observe a 9pm-7am curfew at his parents' address for four months, and be subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his internet usage.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

He must also pay £4,000 compensation to the victim of voyeurism.