Luke Jones

Luke Jones, a 30-year-old from Stowmarket, was jailed for over three years at Ipswich Crown Court for a series of offences including voyeurism and assault against a man he met on a dating app.

The court heard how Jones secretly set up a camera in a bathroom drawer and recorded intimate footage of the victim washing and using the toilet. Prosecutor Godfried Duah told the court that Jones kept the recordings and images, and even showed one to a neighbour.

In addition to the filming, Jones had put his hands around the victim’s neck and pinned him to a bed during an argument. He then picked up a bottle of bleach and walked towards a tank of tropical fish, causing the victim to fear for the fish’s safety. The victim managed to grab the bleach before Jones punched him several times, causing a cut inside his mouth.

When the victim tried to leave by car, Jones threw a bottle at the vehicle. While on bail, Jones pressured the victim to retract his statement and threatened to stab and kill him.

Jones, of Egret Drive, Stowmarket, admitted charges of non-fatal strangulation, assault by beating, making a threat to kill, doing an act intended to pervert the course of justice, intimidation, stalking, and voyeurism.

In mitigation, Stephen Spence said that Jones had been in custody for seven weeks and had hoped to work as a mental health nurse, adding that “through his own actions he has thrown away his career.” He also said his client had a problem with alcohol.

As well as the prison term, Jones was given an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years.