Lifeguard who filmed girls changing sentenced
GoogleA lifeguard who used his mobile phone to record young girls undressing in changing room cubicles has been given a two year suspended sentence.
Plymouth Crown Court heard how Benjamin Lilly recorded girls aged between 12 and 15 while working at Plymouth Life Centre.
Lilly, of Chaucer Way, Plymouth, admitted seven charges of voyeurism as well as counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, making moving images and category C child sex images.
He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
'Swift response'
The court heard how in December 2023 a 12-year-old girl saw a phone being used to film her as she dressed in a cubicle after using the swimming pool.
She told her grandmother who raised the alarm and CCTV showed it was Lilly, who was arrested the next day.
Det Con Mike Evans said: "Thanks to the swift response from centre staff Lilly was quickly identified and arrested by police.
"A search of his devices uncovered that he had engaged in similar behaviour for a number of years undetected, by his own admission he would have continued to offend if he had not been caught.
"I would like to thank and praise the young girl who bravely came forward and reported her concern to an adult, and I hope this sentence will help to bring her a sense of closure.
"I would also like to reassure other victims of sexual offending that they can talk to us, they will be believed, and their reports taken seriously.
"We will do whatever is in our power to bring perpetrators to justice swiftly and effectively."
'Significant number of devices'
The court heard police seized a significant number of devices from his home in Plymouth which showed movies of girls aged between 12 and 15 which he had recorded and retained after filming.
The offences spanned a period from 2015 to 2023.
Lilly, now 34, had no previous convictions and there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the court heard.
He was jailed for two years, suspended for two years, with various conditions.
He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
'Horrified'
A Plymouth Active spokesperson said the safety of users of Plymouth Life Centre was "always our top priority".
It said: "We were horrified by the actions of this former employee and are pleased that the court proceedings against him have now been completed.
"Lilly was employed for a short period and worked casual shifts as a lifeguard.
"He was discovered offending while not on duty by a member of our staff, who apprehended him and held him until police attended the scene, which reflects our robust due diligence in safeguarding.
"All employees, including temporary staff, undergo appropriate DBS checks and we are always vigilant on all safeguarding matters."
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