Manchester IT expert who installed a hidden camera to film woman

Peter Cooksey, pictured, admitted to secretly filming two female neighbours for his sexual gratification

An IT expert drilled a hole in his bedroom wall so he could install a hidden camera to spy on his next-door neighbour as she undressed, a court heard. 

Peter Cooksey, 34, of Trafford, Greater Manchester, became so obsessed with the single mother he bore through the brickwork of their adjoining properties, creating a spy hole in the woman’s walk-in wardrobe.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, became concerned over Cooksey’s behaviour after he began to make inappropriate comments towards her including asking her if she ‘wanted to be my f*** buddy’. 

She later discovered the camera in the back of her bedroom wardrobe. 

Police subsequently seized Cooksey’s mobile phone and computer and discovered clandestine footage that showed the woman dressing and engaging in ‘private acts.’

Other videos revealed Cooksey had used another camera to film a second victim who lived in the property across the road as she undressed in the bathroom.

In a statement read to Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, the first victim said: ‘I was disgusted, hurt and frightened. I have not been able to sleep in my own room and it worries me because I have no idea how long he was watching me for.

‘I feel hate. I am incredibly anxious and I feel violated. His parents have asked me to forgive him but I cannot. I am worried that it may have continued if I didn’t look for the camera. I am also worried that something else could have happened.

‘I have since moved out of the house but I still feel uncomfortable. This has had a huge impact on my mental health. I was only trying to be friends with him.’ 

The second victim said: ‘I feel violated at being recorded in my own home. This has been a worrying time.’

Cooksey admitted three offences of voyeurism. He was handed a 10-month jail sentence suspended for two years after claiming he carried out the offences as he was ‘lonely.’

Minshull Street Crown Court, pictured, heard how Cooksey had become obsessed with the woman next door. He installed a hidden camera so he could watch her undressing

Minshull Street Crown Court, pictured, heard how Cooksey had become obsessed with the woman next door. He installed a hidden camera so he could watch her undressing

He has since moved house and is living with a family member near Salford, Greater Manchester. 

Prosecutor Andrew Evans said: ‘The neighbour knew the defendant for a short period of time and she felt sorry for him as he appeared to be lonely.

‘But he repeatedly asked to speak to her or contact her then began asking her if she needed any jobs doing. She felt that he might fancy her, although she did nothing to encourage him.

‘During an unrelated incident, the complainant went outside and the defendant was stood with her and asked if she was alright. The conversation continued and he asked her if she was single and he then asked her if she wanted to be his “f*** buddy”. He then asked her if she needed a hug.

He was isolated. He has not had a relationship and spent his time on his computer watching adult pornography

Brigid Baillie, mitigating 

‘She laughed off the comment and the conversation came to an end and she went inside and she never thought anything of the comment. But following the incident he messaged her an inappropriate message that led her to believe something was wrong.

‘She deleted the message immediately, went straight to her bedroom and she found a camera in the back of her wardrobe in the wall. 

‘She called the police immediately and told them she suspected a camera had been placed in the back of her wardrobe. 

Mr Evans added that Cooksey had admitted filming both women ‘for sexual gratification’. 

In mitigation for Cooksey, Brigid Baillie said: ‘He was isolated. He has not had a relationship and spent his time on his computer watching adult pornography. He has experienced some trauma in recent years. His brother died and this was brought on by a faulty gene. He has now discovered he also suffers with this faulty gene.

‘His character references show him to be a helpful, hardworking young man.’

Sentencing Judge Angela Nield told Cooksey: ‘You listened to and watched her whilst she was engaged in private acts in the privacy of her own bedroom. She felt degraded and violated by this behaviour and this was extremely upsetting for both complainants.’ 

Cooksey was ordered to take part in the Sex Offenders Treatment programme, complete 180 hours unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation to each victim. 

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders register for 10 years.



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