Suspended jail sentence for "secret pervert" policeman

A policeman from Bettws, near Newtown has been sacked by Dyfed Powys Police after he admitted secretly filming women in a bathroom, including one in a shower.

PC Andrew Price, 52, from Bettws was given a six month suspended sentence at Newport Crown Court after pleading guilty to one charge of voyeurism and one of attempted voyeurism.

The court had been told Price had placed a camera into a hand wash bag and filmed the women at a property in Caldicot near Newport in South Wales.

The court heard that police found videos on the USB device including one of an 18-year-old brushing her teeth, another of a woman washing her hands and a full frontal video of a woman taking a shower.

An investigation found that Price's internet search history indicated an interest in "young girls."

Judge Patrick Harrington had described Price as a "Secret pervert" in court.

Price, who had been a police officer for 13 years, was given a six month jail term for each offence to be served concurrently and suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

His defence had told the court he had the deepest remorse for his actions.

Dyfed Powys Police said Price had been suspended immediately when the criminal investigations were brought against him and was sacked without notice after a special case hearing by the force.

Photograph of Newport Crown Court by John Grayson via Geograph. http://bit.ly/1abkOhB