Warwickshire host from hell's chilling response to friend who spotted odd lights in the shower

Warwickshire man Simon Garnett, 52, has been put behind bars for what police described as an "appalling string of offences"

A predatory Warwickshire man who recorded victims with a hidden camera has been jailed. Simon Garnett, of St. Fremund Way in Leamington, would have friends stay over at his house to secretly record them.

When one victim spotted a spy camera in a clock, he fled Garnett's house, taking the device with him. As he tried to leave the property, police said Garnett, 52, told the victim it was "just a bit of voyeurism."

He then described his behaviour as a "cheap thrill", which Warwickshire Police described as "an appalling string of offences that saw Garnett abuse the trust of friends." Simon Garnett was jailed for his offences at Warwick Crown Court on September 30.

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Investigating officers spoke of how Garnett would have friends stay over at his house to secretly record them. "A police investigation was triggered in February 2022 when a guest at Garnett’s house noticed two LED lights in a clock radio while he was showering" said a spokesperson for Warwickshire Police.

"The guest ascertained that the device had a pinhole spy camera installed and fled the house with it. On the way out, Garnett accosted him and said, 'It was just a cheap thrill, it’s just a bit of voyeurism.'

"Garnett later tried to persuade the victim to return to his home so they could ‘destroy the memory card together’. Later that evening, the victim watched the footage and saw themselves – and several other victims showering on different occasions.

"The victim promptly contacted the police and detectives began investigating. Three other victims were identified and contacted. Garnett answered ‘no comment’ to almost all questions in his police interview – but he was ultimately charged with eight counts of voyeurism."

Simon Garnett was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Warwick Crown Court on Monday September 30. Following sentencing, detective constable Claire Scott said: “Garnett tried to play his predatory behaviour down by branding it a ‘cheap thrill’.

“This was an appalling string of offences that saw Garnett abuse the trust of friends – and I am glad the courts have imposed a custodial sentence. I would like to thank the four victims, whose help has ensured that Garnett is held accountable for his actions.”