Martyn Bourner

A pilot from the Isle of Man has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after admitting to installing a hidden camera in a woman's flat to secretly film her in vulnerable moments. Martyn Bourner, aged 36, targeted the victim by placing the surveillance device inside a dog bed in her bedroom, capturing footage of her in a state of undress over an eight-month period from May to December 2023.

The Court of General Gaol Delivery heard that Bourner, who worked as a pilot for Loganair, furtively entered the woman's flat without permission on numerous occasions. He repositioned the camera, replaced memory cards, and even recorded himself performing sex acts in the bedroom. The device, which included a blue light, wires, and a battery pack concealed under the cushion, was discovered by the victim on 9 December 2023. She had kept the dog bed as a memento following the death of her pet dog.

• The victim initially confided in Bourner about the discovery, unaware he was the perpetrator; he advised her to trust the police.
• Police analysis revealed 1,277 thumbnail files on the device, with 39 showing the complainant undressed and others depicting Bourner alone in the room.
• A search of Bourner's home in Orchard Road, Port Erin, uncovered electronic devices, memory cards, and a bank statement belonging to the victim.

Prosecutor Roger Kane outlined how the victim sent photos of the device to friends and family, leading to the recovery of nine or 10 videos. There was no sign of forced entry, indicating Bourner had access to the flat through trusted means. In a basis of plea accepted by the prosecution, Bourner denied watching live footage or sharing the files, though the device was capable of livestreaming.

The impact on the victim was profound, as detailed in her statement read in court: she described feeling 'dirty, embarrassed' and as though 'I’m the one who has done something wrong'. She suffered panic attacks, nightmares, and no longer felt safe in her own home. An innocent man was wrongly arrested and held on bail for four months before Bourner was identified as the culprit.

Deemster Graham Cook noted that under the new Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act, Bourner would have faced an additional voyeurism charge carrying up to three years' imprisonment. Defence advocate Stephen Wood portrayed Bourner as a 'fantasist' whose actions were 'bizarre' and 'totally out of character', with no prior convictions. The judge imposed a sexual risk order and a restraining order, stating: 'You have had a devastating effect on this woman’s life. I can only hope she can find the ability to move on.' The vulnerable victim had been specifically targeted during a time when she was entitled to privacy in her own space.

Bourner has lost his career as a result of the conviction. The case was reported by Isle of Man Today on 31 October 2024, highlighting ongoing concerns about privacy invasions and sexual offences in the community.