A “depraved” electrician who filmed his customers with devices he had secretly installed in their homes has been jailed for voyeurism.
James Denholm, 34, filmed more than a dozen people who thought they were in private, including women in “intimate situations.”
Some of his victims were former partners, others were clients who had hired him for electrical work. He also filmed in public toilets.
He was arrested after a victim found a recording device under his bed in May 2022 and called police, prosecutors said.
Denholm was jailed for two years and eight months at Aberdeen Crown Court and was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
He had previously admitted several charges, involving 17 people, including voyeurism and harassment. He had admitted possessing indecent images and videos of children between 2007 and 2012.
After being alerted, police raided his Aberdeen home, where detectives discovered evidence of his crimes on hard drives, SD cards, mobile phones, laptops and cameras.
Videos were found dating from June 2013 to August 2023.
“A sickening campaign”
Alison McKenzie, Procurator Fiscal for Grampian, Highlands and Islands, said: “James Denholm exploited a position of trust to gain access to his victims during this alarming pattern of behaviour.
“He filmed several individuals during private moments in places where they should have felt safe, such as their own homes and in public restrooms.
“His depraved behaviour had lasting consequences for a number of people targeted in this sickening campaign, which also involved a number of former partners.
“I hope this conviction serves as a warning to others: we take crimes of this nature very seriously and will use every tool at our disposal to seek justice.”
Non-harassment orders, prohibiting Denholm from contacting or attempting to contact four victims, were granted by the court.
He was also made subject to a seven-year sexual assault prevention order.
Police Scotland said they had carried out a “thorough investigation” after being alerted to suspicions regarding Denholm.
Detective Inspector Mark Lambley said: “Denholm must now face the consequences of his despicable and distressing actions.
“Our thoughts are with the victims whose privacy has been violated. We hope that his conviction will bring them some comfort.”
“Sex crimes of any nature will not be tolerated. We will thoroughly investigate all reports received, regardless of the time that has passed.
“I encourage people to come forward and you can be assured that you will be fully supported by agents and our partner agencies.”
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