Steven Liles, a 60-year-old photographer from Redditch, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for a series of child sex offences, including using a hidden camera to film children and a woman as they changed clothes in his studio. The offences occurred between 2009 and 2019.
Hidden Camera in Garage Studio
Liles converted his garage at his home in Weatheroak Close into a photography studio. He installed a covert recording device in his office, where he instructed victims to change before photo shoots. Police seized his devices and discovered the secretly filmed footage.
He worked at private events and provided photography services for dance schools across the Midlands, using his position to gain access to children.
Convictions and Sentence
At Worcester Crown Court on Friday, June 26, 2026, Liles was sentenced to eight and a half years. He had been found guilty in April of three counts of voyeurism—two relating to videos of children and one of a woman—as well as one count of sexual assault of a child under 13 and three counts of sexual activity with a child.
Judge Jackson described Liles as "a deviant behind a mask" during sentencing.
Grooming and Betrayal of Trust
The court heard how Liles befriended mothers and exploited those relationships to groom and sexually assault their children. Detective Sergeant Shelley Aplin of West Mercia Police praised the survivors for their "unwavering courage and patience" throughout the investigation, which she said was "extremely difficult" for them.
"They have told their story and should hold their heads high. Everyone who has come forward and supported this investigation has helped bring this offender to justice," Aplin said. "Liles is a predator whose behaviour affected so many lives and caused immense emotional turmoil. It was right that he has been given a lengthy prison sentence."
Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Costs
Alongside the prison term, Liles received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from contacting or having unsupervised contact with children after his release. He was also ordered to pay £4,360 in court charges.
