Video: First interview with Lincolnshire’s PCC

A pervert who set up a covert camera to film female victims was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.

Mark Clapson also downloaded thousands of indecent images of children from the internet.

Luc Chignell, prosecuting, said that Clapson was arrested after police received information and as a result searched his home.

Over 30,000 indecent images of children were found on devices belonging to Clapson.

Mr Chignall said “There were indecent images of children on several devices. In addition to that officers found images which it is clear the defendant was responsible for taking using a hidden camera.

“It is clear that on his own admission he has a sexual interest in children and acted upon it in these ways.”

Clapson, 39, of Cawkwell Hill, Cawkwell, near Louth, admitted three charges of voyeurism and three charges of producing indecent images of children.

He also admitted three charges of making indecent images of children involving a total of 31,213 images and further admitted possession of 24 extreme pornographic images.

Clapson was jailed for two years and nine months. He was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and given a life long sexual harm prevention order.

The devices he used to access the illegal images were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

Judge John Pini QC told Clapson that the lives of the victims who had been secretly filmed have been shattered.

“This has had an absolutely devastating effect,” said the judge.

David Eager, in mitigation, said that Clapson admitted to having a sexual interest in children and since his arrest has sought counselling.

“His conduct was appalling and he knows it was appalling,” said Mr Eager.

Investigating officer DC Wayne Pilkington, of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “We are sincerely grateful to the victims in this case who have been so brave in supporting our investigation.

“This is a clear message to perpetrators that we will take robust action, and meticulously investigate, in order to bring offenders to justice.”

The new roundabout at the A46 Dunholme and Welton junction is nearly ready, and will be fully open next month.

The project began in July and, subject to weather, will be complete and fully open to the public by the end of May.

As well as the roundabout, Horncastle Lane and northbound Lincoln Road will also reopen during the week commencing April 19.

Final preparation works will mean that five nights of road closures are needed to lay the final layer of road surfacing on the A46 between Deepdale Lane, Nettleham to Lincoln Road, Dunholme.

The closures will take place overnight between 7pm and 6am, starting from Tuesday, May 4.

The A46 will be closed from Deepdale Lane, Nettleham to Lincoln Road, Dunholme, with a diversion route via the A46 Nettleham roundabout / A15 Riseholme roundabout / A15-A1500 Showground roundabout / A15-A631 roundabout at Caenby Corner / either the A631 or A1103 back to the A46, and vice versa.

The diversion route for the A46’s closure at Deepdale Lane. | Photo: LCC

Lincoln Road, Welton will close from its junction with Honeyholes Lane to the new roundabout, with a diversion via Honeyholes Lane / right onto Ryland Road / right onto Lincoln Road Dunholme, which joins the main closure diversion on the A46 towards Lincoln.

The diversion route for Lincoln Road, Welton. | Photo: LCC

Finally, Horncastle Lane will be closed from the A15 to the A46, with access at the A15 end. The diversion route will be via the A15-A1500 Showground roundabout / A15 Riseholme roundabout / A46 Nettleham roundabout, and vice versa.

The diversion route for Horncastle Lane. | Photo: LCC

During these closures, Heath Lane to Scothern will remain closed, with a right-turn ban and 24/7 temporary traffic lights on the A46 until the end of the project.

The full A46 Dunholme / Welton roundabout project has been part-funded by the £2 million allocated to Lincolnshire County Council by the Department of Transport.

The remaining funding has come from a combination of the council themselves and third party contributions.

An “isolated” man downloaded thousands of indecent images of children, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday.

Nigel Deacon was caught after police received information and raided his home at Cranwell in July 2019.

Edna Leonard, prosecuting, said images had been downloaded onto laptops and two USB sticks which were later examined by officers.

The investigation revealed that Deacon had been downloading illegal images of children aged between nine and 15 years old.

Over 32,000 indecent images of children were found on the devices the vast majority of which were in the least serious category.

Seven images, including three videos, were in the most serious category.

Miss Leonard said: “The defendant was arrested and interviewed and made admissions.”

Deacon, 59, of North Road, Cranwell, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children.

He also admitted possession of 198 prohibited images of children and possession of 124 extreme pornographic images.

Leanne Summers, in mitigation, said Deacon had no previous convictions and has sought help following his arrest.

She told the court: “He isn’t able to explain his offending. He describes it as totally irrational thinking at a time when he says he was running away from reality.

“He has for many years lived an isolated life. He has been in what he calls a very dark place.”

Miss Summers said that Deacon’s business was on the point of collapse as he lost customers when details of his offences became known.

Deacon was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.