Kent Police Secure Conviction of Sex Offender

Kent Police officers have secured the conviction of a sex offender from Ashford after seizing evidence including sunglasses with a built-in camera.

John Gilliver, of Maidstone Road, Charing, admitted multiple offences including voyeurism and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday 11 July 2024.

On Sunday 10 July 2022, officers were called to Folkestone Harbour and arrested Gilliver, 62, after he was seen behaving suspiciously and taking photographs on the beach.

A pair of sunglasses and a neck chain, capable of recording and storing images, were seized. A search of Gilliver's home in Charing led to the discovery of further devices and recording equipment.

Data downloaded from the devices revealed indecent images, including those of children. The investigation by Kent Police detectives uncovered further offences of voyeurism.

Gilliver was found to have secretly installed cameras at the homes of a man and a woman he knew, in order to spy on them for his own gratification.

Gilliver pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, voyeurism and possessing an indecent image. He was jailed for a year and eight months and was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.