A RESTAURATEUR secretly filmed himself having sex with a teenage woman, a court was told.

Gianfranco Fanelli used a watch with a built in camera to make the recordings, without the knowledge of the woman, who believed he was timing how long their activity lasted.

Durham Crown Court heard that the presence of the recording device was only brought to light by Fanelli, after he was accused of raping the woman.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said Fanelli initially denied having had sex with her at all.

But, when forensic evidence surfaced which appeared to confirm sexual relations had taken place, he admitted previously lying.

Mr Bennett said in a bid to prove it was consensual, Fanelli told police he recorded some of the sexual encounters.

“He accepted she was completely unaware he was filming it and he said he hadn’t thought to ask her permission, and apologised.

“He told police he previously lied to protect the young woman, but now wanted to protect himself.”

Police were provided with a DVD showing separate incidents on October 15, 18, and 28, in 2012, which, as the woman was unaware she was being filmed, led to him being charged with three counts of voyeurism.

Mr Bennett said “careful consideration” was given to the original allegations before a decision was taken on which charges the prosecution should proceed.

Fifty-six-year-old Fanelli, of Berry Edge Road, Consett, who has no previous convictions, admitted the charges.

His barrister, Tom Moran, said the worst feature of the case was the fact it was a “serious breach of privacy.”

Mr Moran said reports of the case have led to “public humiliation” for Fanelli.

“Not surprisingly, as a result of it becoming known about, particularly at the time he was on bail for rape, his car was damaged a few times and windows at his home were broken.

“He said when it’s all over he intends to move south.”

Mr Moran said at the time of the offences Fanelli owned Giovanni’s restaurant, in Consett, but, “largely as a result of this case”, it has since closed and he now works for someone else as a cook.

Judge Robert Adams said there appeared to be a degree of planning and, had the woman known she was being filmed, it would have been “of extreme concern”.

He imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, during which Fanelli will be subject of probation supervision, to include attending a sex offender programme.

Judge Adams also issued a restraining order, preventing Fanelli trying to contact the victim for five years, while he will also be subject to registration as a sex offender for seven years.