WIREDGOV

A man who filmed children using a camera hidden in his bathroom clock has been jailed following an investigation by the National Crime Agency, supported by the PSNI.

Patrice Renault, 43, of Belfast, also downloaded hundreds of videos of child abuse on to his computers, as well as extreme pornography and voyeuristic pictures and videos.

He was recently sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment for making indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography as well as 8 months' consecutive imprisonment for voyeurism at Belfast Crown Court.

The judge said Renault would spend six months in prison and then serve a suspended prison sentence of 18 months.

NCA and PSNI officers arrested Renault at his home after he was linked to internet traffic related to indecent images of children.

He quickly confessed to searching for and downloading images of “young boys in love”, directing officers to the relevant computers and handing over his passwords.

But Renault did not tell officers he had hidden a camera in the clock in his bathroom and used it to record guests at his home. Those filmed included three children.

He was charged and convicted of making and possessing more than 900 indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography and voyeurism.

NCA senior manager Colin Radcliffe said: “Renault exploited guests who stayed at his house for his own sexual gratification.

“That was on top of the harm he did by downloading images of children. Behind every one of those was an instance of horrific abuse and Renault re-victimised children by viewing them.

“The NCA and PSNI will continue to work together to bring offenders who participate in the abuse of children to justice.”

Notes to editors

• Patrice Renault, b. 3 March 1973
  • Making indecent images of children, ten counts
  • Possessing extreme pornography, three count
  • Voyeurism, four counts