September 2023

Sexual predator placed secret cameras in toilets and stole underwear

A sexual predator who placed secret cameras in toilets and stole underwear has been jailed for nearly three years.

David Ian Wales was arrested following an intense digital investigation which revealed he possessed recordings of women in toilets, collected indecent images and footage of children and stole underwear from student housing.

The 45-year-old, from Sherburn Road, Durham, was arrested after the material was found on devices during a search of his home.

Officers discovered more than 11,000 images and videos and also found footage of Wales setting up cameras in various toilets.

Along with two counts of voyeurism, two counts of attempting to observe a person doing a private act and two counts of making indecent photos of a child, Wales also pleaded guilty to a string of burglaries which saw him break into student properties and steal valuables such as iPads, mobile phones, cameras and even women’s underwear.

And at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday, Wales was handed 34 months in prison.