Paul Howes: South Penrith man allegedly filmed boys with pen
A policeman has alleged in court that he found a convicted stalker filming boys outside a Coles with a secret camera pen. It is alleged when officers searched his home they then found a disturbing handwritten note.
Penrith
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A magistrate is considering whether a former teacher who is convicted of stalking school boys by secretly filming them with a camera hidden inside a pen should be placed on the Child Protection Register.
South Penrith man Paul Scott Howes, 36, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court today supported by both his parents and with his long blonde hair flowing down his back.
Mr Howes was due to appear on a charge of possessing child pornography relating to a “fantasy’ story he had allegedly written about young boys.
After the charge was dropped this morning, police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Amin Assad argued to Magistrate Vivien Swain that Mr Howes should still be placed on the register as he “poses a risk” to children.
The court heard Mr Howes came before a magistrate in June 2015 on 41 stalking charges, many of which were dropped and 11 others which were dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
However Magistrate Swain sternly told Sen-Sgt Assad that in line with legislation she was only allowed to take into account the evidence used to convict Mr Howes of the three criminal charges when deciding whether to place him on the register.
The court heard from Leading Senior Constable Mark Corrigan of Sutherland Police Station who arrested Mr Howes on Christmas Eve 2013.
Sen-Const Corrigan described how he saw Mr Howes, who he knew from previous encounters possessed a camera pen, sitting on a bench outside the local Coles next to two young boys.
“I asked him if he had a camera pen on him and he denied it,” Sen-Const Corrigan said.
“I informed him I was using my powers to conduct a person search and found the pen in his pocket.”
The court heard police subsequently executed a search warrant and seized items from Mr Howes bedroom including a hand written note which allegedly read, “Most 15-year-old boys enjoy a good shafting. The hormones are raging.”
Sen-Sgt Assad allege the evidence is relevant as Mr Howes “tendencies” were cited by the magistrate who convicted him in 2015.
Mr Howes’ lawyer Mr Robinson argued his client should not be placed on the register almost five years after facing these charges.
“This is a serious application that’s being made on our client,” Mr Robinson said.
“It impacts on his freedom of movement as your Honour is aware.
“He’s been a victim of over policing for quite a long time.”
Sen-Sgt Assad conceded the matter had been ongoing for quite some time.
“The informing officer informs me he had hair when the matter commenced,” Sen-Sgt Assad said referring to Sen-Const Corrigan.
The hearing was adjourned and will recommence tomorrow.