A 38-year-old warehouse worker from Bristol has been sentenced for voyeurism after concealing a mobile phone inside a Lynx shower gel bottle to film a 13-year-old girl in the shower. Michael Magic of Pilgrims Walk, St Anne’s Park, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to the offence, which occurred at his home.
The court heard that Magic cut a small rectangular hole in the front of the ‘Africa’ fragrance bottle to allow the camera lens to point towards the shower cubicle. He positioned the bottle in the bathroom cabinet. The victim discovered the device and saw a video of Magic setting it up. She immediately told her mother.
Prosecutor James Haskell said the girl cannot erase the memory of the discovery. Magic admitted his actions to police, saying he had filmed his wife as a ‘practice run’ and had felt attracted to the child after seeing her chest exposed. He used the footage for sexual gratification.
In mitigation, Alun Williams said Magic felt ‘deep, deep shame’ and had contacted a helpline to address his behaviour. His father-in-law is a magistrate. Judge Julian Lambert noted the severe and incalculable harm caused to the victim.
Magic received a six-month suspended prison sentence, a 60-day rehabilitation activity requirement, sex offender treatment, a £1,000 compensation order, and must register as a sex offender for five years. The victim’s mother expressed disappointment with the sentence, saying the guidelines favour saving public spending over victims.
