A MAN placed a covert camera in a bathroom to secretly record a woman bathing, a court heard.

Midway through her bath, the woman became suspicious about the golf ball-like device with a timer on the back pointing in her direction.

Durham Crown Court heard she immediately got out and went to her bedroom, but, as a result of her subsequent complaint, Christopher John Turnbull was arrested.

Despite his initial denials, Turnbull, 22, now of Viola Crescent, Sacriston, admitted a single count of voyeurism.

Judge Christopher Prince sentenced him to a two-year community order to include 35 days on a programme to address sex crime, plus 20 rehabilitation activity days.

He must also pay £425 costs and sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.