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Sergeant major voyeur is jailed Sergeant major voyeur is jailed
(about 6 hours later)
A sergeant major has been jailed for a year after being found guilty of secretly filming teenage girls undressing in a military camp.A sergeant major has been jailed for a year after being found guilty of secretly filming teenage girls undressing in a military camp.
Cardiff Crown Court had heard that Richard Brown, 42, of Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent, took photographs of the girls through gaps in dormitory curtains.Cardiff Crown Court had heard that Richard Brown, 42, of Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent, took photographs of the girls through gaps in dormitory curtains.
He was found guilty in March of seven charges of taking indecent photographs and five of voyeurism.He was found guilty in March of seven charges of taking indecent photographs and five of voyeurism.
Brown has also been disqualified from working with children for life.Brown has also been disqualified from working with children for life.
In addition he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.In addition he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Judge Phillip Richards said the sentence would send a message to others in a similar position of responsibility. After the case the Army said Brown was discharged from the Royal Welsh Regiment last year.
An Army spokesman said: "He was discharged in February of last year after serving his 22 years, which was the completion of his engagement and the maximum he could serve."
Judge Phillip Richards told the court the sentence would send a message to others in a similar position of responsibility.
"A sentence has to be passed which brings it home to others in your sort of position that if you choose to behave in this way then a custodial sentence will be inevitable," he said."A sentence has to be passed which brings it home to others in your sort of position that if you choose to behave in this way then a custodial sentence will be inevitable," he said.
He is rightly proud of his exemplary Army record but it is a pity it has been besmirched by a gross breach of trust Judge Phillip RichardsHe is rightly proud of his exemplary Army record but it is a pity it has been besmirched by a gross breach of trust Judge Phillip Richards
The court had heard that Brown, who saw active service for 22 years in Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, committed the offences while working as a warrant officer at Cwrt y Gollen training camp in Crickhowell, Powys, between June and November 2005.The court had heard that Brown, who saw active service for 22 years in Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, committed the offences while working as a warrant officer at Cwrt y Gollen training camp in Crickhowell, Powys, between June and November 2005.
Boys and girls aged 14 to 16 came from local schools to take part in an Army preparation course called Look At Life.Boys and girls aged 14 to 16 came from local schools to take part in an Army preparation course called Look At Life.
The court heard he downloaded the films onto computer discs and would watch them at home "for his own sexual gratification".The court heard he downloaded the films onto computer discs and would watch them at home "for his own sexual gratification".
But Brown was caught when his wife Lynne found the movies at their home in Crickhowell in October 2006 and reported him to police.But Brown was caught when his wife Lynne found the movies at their home in Crickhowell in October 2006 and reported him to police.
Officers then searched Brown's garage where they found "a large number of images" and a Canon Powershot camera used to film them.Officers then searched Brown's garage where they found "a large number of images" and a Canon Powershot camera used to film them.
'Shame''Shame'
Police also searched the drawers in his office and found a laptop containing more images.Police also searched the drawers in his office and found a laptop containing more images.
There were 68 films on CDs and the laptop, and one on the camera's memory card.There were 68 films on CDs and the laptop, and one on the camera's memory card.
Brown had claimed during the trial that somebody with a grudge had framed him by planting the illicit material.Brown had claimed during the trial that somebody with a grudge had framed him by planting the illicit material.
John Ryan, defending, said the sense of shame Brown felt was "real and significant".John Ryan, defending, said the sense of shame Brown felt was "real and significant".
He said Brown had a series of glowing references from his former colleagues in the Army and urged the judge to pass a lenient sentence.He said Brown had a series of glowing references from his former colleagues in the Army and urged the judge to pass a lenient sentence.
Judge Richards said: "He is rightly proud of his exemplary Army record but it is a pity it has been besmirched by a gross breach of trust.Judge Richards said: "He is rightly proud of his exemplary Army record but it is a pity it has been besmirched by a gross breach of trust.
In sentencing Brown, Judge Richards said it was "incredible" Brown was allowed to take the decision on where female students were accommodated.In sentencing Brown, Judge Richards said it was "incredible" Brown was allowed to take the decision on where female students were accommodated.
He also said it was of grave concern that Brown was allowed to take pictures of girls drenched in water emerging from an assault course without being challenged and download pornography on a "grand scale" on his army issue laptop.He also said it was of grave concern that Brown was allowed to take pictures of girls drenched in water emerging from an assault course without being challenged and download pornography on a "grand scale" on his army issue laptop.
He told him: "You caused very great distress - other parents must be wondering what happened to their children who attended this camp.He told him: "You caused very great distress - other parents must be wondering what happened to their children who attended this camp.
"I regard this as an exceptional case. I consider there is a real sense of horror on the part of the public that children committed to your care were treated in this way.""I regard this as an exceptional case. I consider there is a real sense of horror on the part of the public that children committed to your care were treated in this way."
Brown was discharged from the Royal Welsh Regiment last year after serving the maximum 22 years, an Army spokesman said.