A PERVERT who set up a camera to video people using his bathroom has been jailed for six months.

Keith Horner cut a hole in a wicker plant pot holder so he could hide his iPhone and surreptitiously record people without their knowledge.

When his perverted scheme was eventually discovered he apologised for his behaviour but when he appeared in Teesside Crown Court he denied any responsibility for his actions.

In a powerful victim personal statement, a woman who can't be named for legal reasons, told a judge her faith in people had been crushed after she discovered the hidden mobile phone.

"I find it difficult to describe the pain, disappointment and disgust that I feel over what he has done," she said.

"I feel utterly violated and don't trust anyone anymore. I sit alone every night and I do not want to see or be seen by anybody."

She added: "I have suffered and I am still suffering from health problems as a result of this incident. I am constantly stressed and suffer with anxiety."

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said the offence dated back to 2016 and the defendant had a number of previous convictions but none for sexual offences.

He said the complainant had deleted any footage that Horner had managed to record but believes there was up to 30 minutes of footage.

"Whether it had recorded her throughout the entire 30 minutes or whether it had just been left on for half an hour is open to conjecture," he said.

The 55-year-old, of Penistone Road, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of voyeurism following a trial last November.

Horner was due to be sentenced last month but was turned away from the court building after he turned up 'coughing and spluttering'.

Robert Mochrie, in mitigation, said: "His pre-sentence report doesn't do Mr Horner any favours as he is clearly still at a stage where he is unable to acknowledge his wrongdoing.

"In those circumstances I concede in those circumstances it could lead to an immediate prison sentence.

"The question really is whether your Honour can suspend that inevitable sentence."

Judge Stephen Ashurst rejected the barrister's plea for a suspended sentence and jailed Horner for six months for recording people in his bathroom after he showed 'no remorse' for his offending.

"In truth you were the pervert here trying to capture those images," he said.

"I have come to the conclusion that your offending is so serious that I simply cannot suspend the sentence in your case.

"You made the decision to set up your phone in a way to record your victim."

Horner was made subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order and notification period to monitor his behaviour.

He was also made subject of a three-year restraining order to protect his victim.