Man jailed for upskirting and voyeurism offences

A man has been jailed after secretly filming women and children for his own gratification.

Ryan Beaumont appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 23 February where he was sentenced to three years in prison for 21 offences, including upskirting, voyeurism, and taking and possessing indecent images of children. 

The 38-year-old, from Hartford, previously pleaded guilty to all charges, which involved nine child victims and 10 adult victims.

Cheshire Police were first contacted in June 2021 after Beaumont was reported for upskirting a woman while at an address working as a mobile mechanic.

He was subsequently arrested, and his electronic devices were seized and sent off for forensic examination.

During subsequent interviews, Beaumont made a full admission to his offending, even stating he would hide cameras in the bathroom and spare room at his home address to try and capture people getting changed and using the toilet.

Beaumont stated he got an adrenaline rush from obtaining footage without the victims’ knowledge. He told officers his offending had progressed to the point where he would keep his phone on record at all times and film whenever he saw an opportunity.

He was later charged with seven counts of taking category C images, one count of possessing category C images, one count of possessing category B images, eight counts of voyeurism, and four counts of upskirting.

On top of his custodial sentence, Beaumont is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He is also banned from working with children and banned from owning a mobile phone with a camera.  

Following the sentencing, DC Victoria Hazlewood said:

“Beaumont’s behaviour was an extreme and distressing example of invading people’s privacy, not only filming up skirts, but even hiding cameras in his own home in an attempt to capture indecent footage of his guests.

“Beaumont thought his offending was going unnoticed, however one of his victims became suspicious of his behaviour while he was working as a mechanic and reported it to police.

“When we examined his electronic devices, we discovered various videos and thanks to the strength of this evidence, he was left with no choice but to admit his offending.

“I hope the sentence handed to Beaumont today will provide some reassurance to his victims who have shown immense bravery throughout this investigation.”

At the sentencing, His Honour Judge Berkson said that Beaumont's offending was an “Appalling breach of trust for your own gratification”. He added:

“This has been a long and painstaking investigation by the officer. She had had to identify victims and notify them that they themselves or their children have been victims of sexual offences committed by you.

“Nobody in the room could not be caused upset by what they have heard, in fact when I looked around the room there was not one person who was not upset.

“No person should blame themselves for your offending. It can only be hoped that the victims can get on with their lives. Prison is the only appropriate sentence”