Kevin Dwyer

A Greater Manchester Police officer, Kevin Dwyer, has been sentenced for using a secret camera to film 'seedy' upskirt images of young women and capturing intimate moments without permission. The 39-year-old from Sunnybank Close in Newton-le-Willows admitted to two counts of voyeurism and ten counts of outraging public decency at Manchester Crown Court.

The offences occurred between 1 October 2013 and 15 May 2014, primarily targeting vulnerable women who had been drinking. Dwyer followed and filmed women wearing high heels, short skirts, short dresses, or short shorts in locations such as takeaways, taxi ranks, and outside nightclubs in Manchester, Chester, and Warrington. Prosecutor Justin Hayhoe described how Dwyer often preyed on intoxicated individuals, exploiting their vulnerability for his own gratification. In two particularly invasive incidents, he crept up to a window to record a couple engaging in sex inside their home.

Police discovered significant numbers of videos on recording devices seized from Dwyer's home in 2014, including footage of upskirt filming and private acts in homes. A recording device was even found in the pocket of his uniform trousers, and his car's movements were traced to repeated late-night trips to Chester. Detective Inspector Chris Packer of Greater Manchester Police condemned Dwyer's actions, stating he had shown 'a complete lack of regard for [his victims'] privacy for his own sexual pleasure' and that his conduct 'fell well short of what is expected of a police officer'.

At the hearing, Patrick Thompson, defending, noted that Dwyer's 'career is in shreds', as he was suspended following his arrest in May 2014 and now faces misconduct proceedings. Instead of imprisonment, Dwyer was given a three-year community order and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for five years. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the findings came from a thorough investigation into the materials at his residence.

This case, reported by the BBC on 20 February 2015, highlights the misuse of authority by a serving officer and the severe breach of public trust involved in these sexual offences.