Darwen 'predator' jailed again for filming sex attacks on women

William Smith, 33, formerly of Redearth Road, Darwen, now of no fixed address, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years, at Preston Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual assault by penetration and one offence of rape.

Smith is currently serving a 40-month jail sentence, which he was handed in January last year after pleading guilty to 18 counts of voyeurism, two of attempted voyeurism and two of making indecent images of children.

He secretly filmed women, girls and boys undressing in public changing rooms, using disabled toilets or lying naked on sunbeds, at Darwen Leisure Centre, the Trafford Centre and in sunbed shops in Greater Manchester.

On Friday, the court heard Smith orally raped a woman and filmed the abuse.

The other victim was also sexually assaulted and again, he filmed the attack.

The sex attacks on the women came to light in May 2019 when police searched Smith's house during the investigation into the voyeurism offences and found the videos.

In an emotional victim impact statement one of the women described suffering “severe psychological harm” from the abuse, to the point that she had attempted to take her own life.

Brett Gerrity, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Smith initially denied his criminality.

“We worked closely with the police to build a strong case and with the help of these brave women, we were able to produce the evidence that gave him no choice but to admit to the depraved offences he stands convicted of.

“This was a particularly disturbing case and has had a devastating impact on the two victims, who both had to learn about the abuse by watching the recordings.

"Both victims are still dealing with the impact of Smith’s offences.

“I truly hope that they can take some solace from the significant sentence passed on Smith today.”

At Smith’s sentencing in January 2020, the court was told how he covertly filmed his victims undressing at Darwen Leisure Centre, using the disabled toilets changing rooms at the Trafford Centre, using sunbeds in the Bury area, and in wet rooms across Lancashire.

The majority of Smith’s offending happened once he had been released on licence from Forest Bank Prison after he was jailed at Burnley Crown Court for filming a teenager showering without her knowledge.

He used a specially-adapted iPhone covered in black tape to secretly film under changing room cubicles and also removed vents at sunbathing shops to make room for his camera.

At the hearing in 2020, the court heard how Smith was caught after filming a 15-year-old undressing in a cubicle at Darwen Leisure Centre.

He was traced from CCTV within the centre, which showed that Smith had been in the building between 5pm and 7.15pm, mainly in the changing village and had not been swimming.

Examination of his phone found 23 video clips, including one of the 15-year-old.

There were also seven videos of children in six separate clips, the youngest being six-years-old.

Smith was subsequently arrested and police seized a number of electronic devices from his home.

There was a total of 167 images, most videos lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, including 64 videos in wet rooms in leisure facilities across the county, capturing his victims naked.

His victims in those offences, included a 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.

At the time Judge Beverley Lunt stopped short of classing him as a dangerous offender but described Smith as a 'sexual predator'.

DS Pete Denson, of the East MOSOVO Team, said: “I welcome this significant sentence, which reflects the danger Smith poses to women because of his appalling attitude towards them and his sordid sexual interest. As the Judge correctly pointed out, Smith subjected both his victims to acts of ‘degradation and humiliation’.

“I want to praise the bravery the victims demonstrated throughout the process of getting this case to court and I hope they will be able to sleep a little easier knowing that Smith will have to serve 12 years and 290 days before he is even considered for release. Even then, he will have to demonstrate to the Parole Board that he no longer presents a risk to the public.

“A number of dedicated officers have put a considerable amount of time into securing this conviction and I would like to place on record my thanks for their efforts.

“Finally, I hope the outcome of this case demonstrates the commitment Lancashire Constabulary has to identifying and putting sexual offenders before the courts. Anyone who is the victim of a sexual offence should call 101, knowing they will be believed and supported.”

After, the sentencing, Det Sgt Pete Denson said: “I welcome this significant sentence, which reflects the danger Smith poses to women because of his appalling attitude towards them and his sordid sexual interest.

"As the Judge correctly pointed out, Smith subjected both his victims to acts of ‘degradation and humiliation’.

“I want to praise the bravery the victims demonstrated throughout the process of getting this case to court and I hope they will be able to sleep a little easier knowing that Smith will have to serve 12 years and 290 days before he is even considered for release.

"Even then, he will have to demonstrate to the Parole Board that he no longer presents a risk to the public.

“A number of dedicated officers have put a considerable amount of time into securing this conviction and I would like to place on record my thanks for their efforts.

“Finally, I hope the outcome of this case demonstrates the commitment Lancashire Constabulary has to identifying and putting sexual offenders before the courts. Anyone who is the victim of a sexual offence should call 101, knowing they will be believed and supported.”