Calderdale ex councillor jailed for secretly filming 32 victims

A disgraced former Calderdale councillor who secretly filmed 32 victims over 15 years has been jailed.

Robert Holden, 51, who ran a computer repair business, was charged with multiple offences of voyeurism and computer misuse.

Holden installed hidden cameras in the bathroom, bedroom and living areas of his homes, to secretly film his victims. The court also heard that he obtained some of the images from devices left with him to repair.

Holden failed to attend a Magistrates’ court hearing in April 2022, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was later found on the island of Cape Verde and in September 2023, he was extradited back to the UK .
Holden pleaded guilty to 28 voyeurism counts, eight counts of computer misuse and failing to surrender to bail.

James Weekes from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Holden is a serial sex offender who secretly filmed his victims for his own sexual gratification.

“His attempt to evade justice demonstrates his lack of remorse – it was only due to the work of the Crown Prosecution Service and police in successfully extraditing him that he took any responsibility for his crimes by pleading guilty earlier this year.

“Voyeurism is a degrading invasion of privacy and has no place in our society – the Crown Prosecution Service is determined to hold offenders to account and will prosecute whenever our legal test is met.”

He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court today to six years and two months imprisonment.