Spying perv turns laptop voyeur into convicted offender
Mark Murphy, 43, from South End Row, W8, has been handed a suspended sentence after being caught spying on women in his own home.
Suspended jail and hefty penalties for secret camera creep
On Tuesday, 2 March at Southwark Crown Court, Murphy was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must also complete 40 days of Rehabilitation Activity within 18 months, 160 hours of unpaid work, and pay £5,000 in compensation to each victim—totaling £80,000. His laptop and two hard drives used in the crime were ordered to be destroyed. Murphy is now under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Hidden camera uncovered during police raid
The twisted crime came to light in March 2019 when cops raided Murphy’s home and found a laptop filled with images of women using two bathrooms. He had secretly installed cameras, invading their privacy and violating their trust.
Detectives hunt down victims of voyeur’s depravity
Officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Unit sprang into action, tracing the women affected. Fourteen victims were confirmed definitively, with 24 women in total identified. Murphy’s offences stretched across eight years, from 2011 to 2019, requiring painstaking detective work involving emails, calls, and doorstep enquiries.
“I commend the officer in the case DC Bobby Kemp for locating victims and gathering evidence,” said Recorder C Carberry QC during sentencing.
PC Bobby Kemp added: “Finding victims was tricky, with some offences dating back eight years. But we wanted every woman exploited by Murphy to get justice and support.”
“If you believe you were affected, please contact us. We can advise and help.”
Guilty plea made earlier
Murphy admitted all charges at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February 2020, sealing his fate.
