Tradie James Underwood avoids jail over bathroom spycam

A tradesman, 26, who installed a camera in a woman’s bathroom and filmed her in secret has been convicted.

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A Seven Hills tradesman who installed a spycam in a toilet roll holder and secretly filmed a woman in her bathroom has been convicted after a magistrate rejected his mental health application.

James Alexander Underwood, 26, was sentenced in Blacktown Local Court on Friday, July 26, after admitting to installing a hidden camera in the bathroom of a home he was working on in March and recording the secret images.

The court heard Underwood installed the camera in a screw inside a toilet roll holder and filmed the woman as she used the shower and toilet because he was attracted to her.

Defence solicitor Gary Bailey sought to have the case dealt with under the Mental Health Act and claimed Underwood suffered a major depressive disorder.

James Underwood, 26, leaves Blacktown Local Court with his solicitor Gary Bailey on Friday, July 26. Picture: Kate Lockley

“He is a person who at one stage was quite social in his life and now is much more introverted and not involved with other people,” Mr Bailey told the court.

“He clearly had a mental health condition at the time of the offence.

“This lack of judgment has pushed him to not consider the consequences and commit this offence.”

Mr Bailey said Underwood was sorry for his actions.

“He’s suffered the shame of embarrassing his family, his siblings and his neighbours,” he said.

“He’s embarrassed the victim and betrayed her trust in doing what he’s done.”

However, Magistrate David O’Neill dismissed the application, saying he was not convinced Underwood was suffering from the disorder at the time of the offence.

“There’s absolutely no doubt Mr Underwood is suffering from a major depressive disorder, but I am not satisfied he was suffering at the time of the offending,” Mr O’Neill said.

“He and his family describe (the offence) as ‘disgusting’ — it breaches trust and had a significant impact on the victim.

“For matters such as this, the purposes in punishing are appropriate in deterring the offender and the public more broadly.”

Underwood, a carpenter by trade, admitted to installing a spycam in a screw and hiding it in a toilet roll holder. Picture: Facebook

In arguing for a criminal conviction, the prosecution questioned why Underwood had the spycam in first place.

“He was there to repair an air-conditioner … he has no business going to the bathroom and installing that device,” the prosecution said.

“It is the modus operandi which is of concern. This (camera) is not just lying around in people’s toolboxes.”

Mr Bailey argued Underwood used the camera as security for his toolbox after purchasing it on eBay.

He was ordered to enter into a Community Corrections Order for two years and to undertake 105 hours of community service.

Leaving court on Friday, Underwood apologised for his behaviour.

“I’m happy to get it out of the way. Hopefully, I can move on. I’d never do it again. I’m sorry to put everyone through that,” he said.