Darren Ather, a 31-year-old man from Blackfell in Washington, was sentenced at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for committing sex offences involving voyeurism in Scarborough and South Shields. The offences occurred in August 2024, highlighting concerns over privacy violations and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, Ather began recording another person engaged in a private act in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This activity continued until Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The prosecution detailed that Ather's actions constituted a clear breach of the victim's privacy, falling under the charge of voyeurism. Ather pleaded guilty to this charge during a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
- The recording took place over several days in Scarborough.
- Ather's guilty plea was entered early in the proceedings.
Subsequently, on Friday, August 23, 2024, Ather attempted to observe a person performing a private act in South Shields. District Judge Zoe Passfield noted during the sentencing that this incident involved only one victim, specified as a child, underscoring the seriousness of the offence. Ather returned to the same court on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to admit to this additional charge of attempting to observe a person doing a private act.
Prosecutor Lesley Burgess did not provide detailed submissions to the court, as Judge Passfield had already reviewed a pre-sentence report containing full details of the offences. The report highlighted Ather's openness and candour with the Probation Service, which influenced the sentencing decision. Judge Passfield acknowledged Ather's lack of previous convictions and gave him full credit for his guilty pleas.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Passfield stated: “I’ve given you full credit for your guilty pleas. I also take account of the fact that you’ve no previous convictions. I’ve also read the pre-sentence report and note that you were very open and candid with the Probation Service, which gives me some hope that rehabilitation is likely in this case.” She imposed a 24-month community order, including 30 days of rehabilitation activity and 26 sessions of a separate programme requirement. Additionally, Ather was made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and a sexual harm prevention order, both lasting five years. He was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs, considering his status on benefits.
The case was reported by the Shields Gazette, a trusted local news source established in 1849, emphasising the regional impact of such offences in the North East of England. Northumbria Police, responsible for the area, investigated the incidents leading to Ather's prosecution.