A MAN has been jailed after he admitted secretly filming over a dozen unsuspecting victims for his own sexual enjoyment.
Joshua Knights-Taylor, of Llys Famau in Ruthin appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday for sentence.
The 23-year-old had previously admitted having secretly recorded other people doing private acts for sexual gratification.
Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, told the court that over the course of six months last year, Knights-Taylor took a total of 37 videos, capturing 14 people.
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Those he recorded were in states of undress, the court heard.
When he was discovered and confronted he immediately admitted his offending, and when he was arrested he told police he had done it because he was "dirty."
He said he "wasn't thinking straight" and hadn't considered the privacy of those he recorded.
Summarising statements of those the defendant videoed, Mr Roberts said the complainants' reaction ranged from anger to anxiety.
Patrick Geddes, defending, told the court the best mitigation he could put forward was his client's early guilty plea and full admissions.
"This is a young man with no previous convictions who is now facing a very serious sexual offence," he said.
Mr Geddes said while his client had struggled with his mental health, that could not and was not being used as an excuse for his behaviour.
"There's a level of planning," he continued, "and a lack of insight and thought into his actions.
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"The repercussions are far-reaching for those filmed.
"He is genuinely remorseful for what he has done and the consequences will follow him round long after the sentencing is concluded."
Mr Geddes said the defendant had tried to "imitate what he saw on the internet," and his goal had been for his own gratification.
Judge Niclas Parry told Knights-Taylor: "You've admitted an offence that would outrage and disgust any right-thinking person.
"You have caused an enormous amount of distress for people and you conceded that had you not been detected, this would have continued."
The Judge handed down a sentence of 10 months in prison, to be served immediately.
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