Former BBC gardening expert Steve Brookes admits hiding camera in bathroom to record women

In court: BBC gardening expert Steve Brookes faces voyeurism charges
PA
Fiona Simpson11 January 2017
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A gardening expert and TV presenter rigged up a hidden camera to record women using a bathroom, leaving his victims disgusted and horrified, a court has heard.

Stephen Brookes, who admitted observing seven women doing private acts, faces jail after using an air freshener to conceal a camera linked to a mobile phone app.

Brookes, of Loxley Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was arrested in September after the motion-sensitive camera was found, Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court was told.

Police then seized a memory card, an iPhone and an iPad belonging to the married gardener who previously appeared on BBC show Gardeners’ World, leading to the recovery of 300 files, including numerous videos.

Prosecutor Baldev Atwal told the court: "It appears the device was on a constant recording loop.

"Mr Brookes's iPhone had an application whereby he would be aware of the activation of that camera and could watch the recordings as they were reviewed and unfolded.

Guilty plea: Former BBC gardening expert Steve Brookes arrives at court 
PA

"What will clearly trouble this court is that Mr Brookes has gone to some extent and some length planning and setting up the camera."

Michael Jervis, defending, said Brookes appreciated that he was facing a custodial sentence and regarded his own behaviour as disgraceful and disgusting.

"He is full of remorse," Mr Jervis said of his client.

He added: "Mr Brookes has a reputation locally of great repute.

"He has become a very well-known character in the local community. He has a very close-knit family and despite his behaviour his family are supporting him."

The defence lawyer told magistrates: "You see what he does - he writes books, he has been on television. He has created a certain character to encourage youngsters to become interested in horticulture.

"If you look at his behaviour throughout the last few years then he is a man of impeccable character."

But Mr Jervis added of 55-year-old Brookes: "He is in many ways a ruined man - his income certainly is going to suffer.

"His life has been ruined simply because of these very stupid acts."

He will be sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on February 8.

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