Thomas Milton bought a hidden camera on TikTok, before using it in changing rooms and several different homes to create the sickening images so that he could get a horrific “thrill” from the act
A man, dubbed a “classic Peeping Tom”, used a hidden spy camera to film women and girls undressing before using an AI bot to generate nude images of underage girls. Thomas Milton, 32, purchased a spy camera from the TikTok shop and concealed it in changing rooms to secretly record females as young as 13, the court heard.
The technician also filmed two women in their homes, according to those charging him. Prosecutor Charlie Thompson revealed that Milton, who confessed to creating indecent pseudo-photographs of children, was apprehended when his hidden camera was discovered in the changing rooms.
During his trial at Durham Crown Court, the jury heard Milton’s claim that he hid the camera for the “thrill” and not for sexual pleasure. However, Judge Richard Bennett dismissed Milton’s assertion as “palpable nonsense” and sentenced him to three years on charges of voyeurism.
On Monday (December 15), Teesside Crown Court heard how Milton had twice hidden the same camera in a woman’s bedroom, capturing her undressing on one occasion, according to the Mirror. The victim, delivering her impact statement, expressed: “It doesn’t feel real. I felt sick, violated and utterly disgusted. I still get flashbacks.”
She shared her feelings of insecurity and how it took weeks before she could return to her own home. The victim told the court: “I was unable to sleep and eat for weeks and became very unwell. I will never forgive him for what he has done.”
One victim, who was secretly filmed in her own home, expressed her distress in a statement: “I do not feel safe in my own home; your home should be your safe space.” As a result of the ordeal, she and her partner have decided to relocate.
The court was informed that Milton had taken “innocent” photos of fully clothed teenage girls from social media and used AI software to create nude images on three separate occasions. The revelation of his actions has led to Milton losing his home, career, reputation, friends and partner.
Judge Bennett, sentencing Milton via video link from Home House Prison, labelled him a “classic Peeping Tom”, stating: “Your full name is Thomas, you were known as Tom. You are the classic Peeping Tom who spies on young women and teenage girls for your own sexual gratification.”
He noted that Milton, hailing from Eston, North Yorkshire, showed no remorse and was fully aware of his actions, adding: “You are clearly highly intelligent but equally manipulative, deviant and dishonest.” Milton received a three-year prison sentence and a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, limiting his contact with children and use of the internet and social media.
Judge Bennett highlighted the risks associated with posting innocent images online, warning: “Your use of AI in this offending highlights the real danger of posting innocent images of children on social media which can be manipulated by people who have a sexual interest in children.” Throughout their probe, Cleveland Police officers retrieved, confiscated and forensically analysed up to 35 devices.
Detective Constable Jonathon Collins of Cleveland Police stated: “From the beginning, Milton has consistently made outrageous claims for why he chose to place cameras in the changing room and in the bedroom of a property to secretly film members of the public, refusing to acknowledge and accept any wrongdoing. He has violated the privacy of many people, including young children, spying on them for what I believe is for his own gratification.
“The investigation involved reviewing countless amounts of footage and then in doing so we came across images that Milton had created from the content he had filmed. I am pleased a jury could see through his lies and convict him of these offences where he has been rightly sentenced, securing justice for all the victims.”
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