Man jailed for voyeurism in Winsford

A man who filmed indecent videos of women in Winsford without their permission has been jailed.

Richard Halck appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 24th April where he was sentenced to 55 weeks in prison.

The 38-year-old, formally from Winsford, and now of Landor Way, Stafford, had previously pleaded guilty to eight counts of voyeurism.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years, handed a ten year sexual harm prevention order and handed a restraining order to prevent him contacting his victims.

The court heard how on Tuesday 22nd August 2023 a woman was in a changing room at Winsford Lifestyle Centre when she saw a hand holding a mobile phone coming from underneath the neighbouring cubicle which she believed was filming her while naked.

The woman calmly got dressed before approaching staff for help, while also asking a member of the public to prevent the suspect from leaving the cubicle.

Police were also called to the scene and on arrival Halck was identified as the man in the cubicle. He was arrested and taken to custody, where his mobile phone was also seized.

During subsequent analysis of the phone officers discovered a number of other videos of women which Halck had filmed without their knowledge.

The videos were all filmed between Thursday 7th July 2022 and Tuesday 22nd August 2023 at various locations across Winsford.

While officers were able to identify three of the victims, a number of others have never been identified.

Detective Constable Sarah Ollier, who led the investigation, said:

“Firstly, I would like to praise the courage of the victims in this case, to discover that someone has filmed you without your consent must have been terrifying, but thanks to their bravery he has now been held accountable.“Halck’s actions have had a lasting impact on his victims, who were simply going about their daily business.

“He violated his victims’ personal space and privacy, filming them without their consent in places that they should be able to feel safe.

“This result reinforces our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, we will prevent, deter and take action against anyone who preys on women and girls.”

Pictured - Richard Halck formally from Winsford, and now of Landor Way in Stafford.