Detective Constable Janette Williams led a successful investigation following reports that an SD card, appearing to contain footage of someone being filmed unknowingly within a private bathroom, had been found.
DC Williams recently graduated from Police Now’s National Detective Programme with North Wales Police, deciding to make a late career change to train as a detective after 25 years working in other sectors, including at an accountancy firm and as an armed forces liaison officer.
DC Williams was assigned the role of Officer in Charge (OIC) when the report was made in 2020, and swiftly organised for a Police Search Advisor (POLSA) team to search the premise where the card was found. Following the search, the suspect was arrested and a search was also conducted at their home address, followed by a Digital Forensics Review of the items seized.
The suspect had over 2,300 images and media footage of the victim, which they had scanned and transferred between different storage devices, complicating the investigation but ultimately providing further evidence which led to a new charge under the criminal offence of ‘upskirting’, which came into effect in 2019 under the Voyeurism Act.
Detective Constable Janette Williams said: “I was aware of the community impact this type of offence can have, particularly amongst a close-knit community like the one in question. It was extremely important to leave no stone unturned in the investigation and review the large amount of information available to ensure the offender was brought to justice. It was certainly a team effort, and I was supported throughout the investigation by my colleagues and senior officers.
“Supporting the victim through the investigation was particularly important due to the traumatic nature of the offending. I ensured she was put in touch with my colleagues within Victim Support and that I kept her fully updated throughout the entire process. I also liaised with our Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit and a section 47 visit was completed to check on the welfare of the suspect’s child.
“The victim was overjoyed when the offender was sentenced in court, and the fact that she did not have to worry about bumping into the offender in the local supermarket and could finally get back to normal life. She said that at times during the investigation she had felt like giving up and that if it was not for me, she did not think she could have got through it, which was extremely gratifying to hear. Ultimately that’s what the job is about; bringing people to justice, making sure the public are protected, and properly supporting members of the community through some of the hardest times in their lives.”
The offender pleaded guilty in court last year to 3 counts of voyeurism, 2 counts of operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent and 1 count of outraging public decency. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison and given a five-year restraining order banning him from the hometown of the victim.
DC Williams said: “After 25 years of working outside the policing sector in various public sector jobs, as well as for a private accountancy practice and as an armed forces liaison officer, I decided to make a late career change to retrain as a detective. The programme has been challenging but it really pushes you to become the best detective you can be, and I encourage others to make the leap too.”
