Robert Holden

Robert Holden, a former Conservative councillor for Ryburn on Calderdale Council and operator of a computer repair business, installed hidden cameras in the bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas of his homes to secretly film dozens of victims over a 14-year period. His actions constituted multiple counts of voyeurism and computer misuse, breaching privacy on a systematic scale.

The investigation by West Yorkshire Police revealed 31 counts of voyeurism and seven of computer misuse, spanning from approximately 2010 to 2024. Victims, unaware of the surveillance, had their intimate moments captured without consent, leading to Holden's exposure and arrest. The court heard how Holden's position of trust in the community and his technical expertise facilitated these offences.

At Bradford Crown Court in September 2024, Holden was sentenced to six years and two months' imprisonment. The judge described the offences as a profound betrayal, particularly given Holden's public role. Sentencing remarks included quotes from the prosecution on the long-term trauma inflicted on victims, reinforcing the judicial stance against such invasive sexual offences.