Gold Coast man, 41, spared jail time after filming dozens of nude videos of partner’s teenage children

A Gold Coast man spent years secretly filming his ex-partner’s teen kids in the shower and other areas of the family home, leaving them shattered. WARNING: Distressing content

A Gold Coast predator has walked free from court after spending years secretly filming more than 100 nude videos of his ex-partner’s children and guests in their family home.

The sense of betrayal and heartache of his victims and their loved ones was palpable throughout an emotionally-charged sentencing in Southport Magistrates Court this week.

The court was told the man, who cannot be named to protect the identities of his victims, first groped his ex’s daughter when she was 17 years old.

He went on to covertly film dozens of videos of the young woman while she was aged between 17 and 20, including more than 30 of her genital area while she was sitting at a table in a nightie and no underwear.

The 41-year-old collected close to another 70 videos of her while she was in the shower, using hidden cameras in the shower vent and under the bathroom door or on one occasion filming through an open window.

The court was told he also had one video of his ex’s 17-year-old son in the shower with his 16-year-old girlfriend and another five of the girl on her own.

His vile stash was uncovered when the man’s ex-partner – with whom he shares a young child – found a hidden photo gallery on his phone. Police soon discovered cabling running from the camera in the exhaust fan to his computer in the master bedroom.

He left the house when confronted by his ex and a domestic violence order was now in place, the court was told.

The man’s ex-partner gave an emotional victim impact statement in court, describing the deep bonds he built with her and her children and his understanding of their difficult past.

At times speaking through tears, the mum told the court she checked her then-partner’s phone that night because she suspected him of cheating - and what she found instead made her physically sick.

“We constantly feel as though we are being watched, which makes us feel unsafe and anxious in our own home,” she said.

“The sense of betrayal we all feel is profound.”

She implored the court to take into account the way her ex “managed to manipulate and groom” her and their family and friends to conceal his abuse.

“(His) actions were not a mistake or a momentary lapse in judgment … he was in complete control and had the ability to change his predatory behaviour at any point,” she said.

“Deep down I know the guilt, blame, and shame are his, but as a parent it is my responsibility to keep my children safe and I failed. I will carry that burden for the rest of my life.”

Defence lawyer Nathan Hounsell said his client was raised in a strict religious household and was both witness to and a victim of abuse as a child, the trauma from which he had not dealt with at the time of his offending.

Mr Hounsell said the man felt genuine shame and remorse, and had since started seeing a psychologist and been given a “positive prognosis” for rehabilitation.

Acting Magistrate Mark Whitbread said the man’s sexual assault on his former partner’s vulnerable daughter was “abhorrent”.

“It’s clear from what (your ex-partner) said and from the facts that finding what she found was completely unexpected,” Mr Whitbread said.

“She blames herself. She knows it’s wrong to do that, but it’s understandable for a mother … but she shouldn’t and you know she shouldn’t, because it’s you.”

Mr Whitbread said the psychological report showed the man’s mental health had been impacted by facing serious charges, and that the steps taken to address his concerns should weigh in his favour.

The man pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and five of observations or recordings in breach of privacy.

He was sentenced to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for four years, and placed on probation for three years.

Originally published as Gold Coast man, 41, spared jail time after filming dozens of nude videos of partner’s teenage children