A man who waged a four-year campaign of voyeurism and upskirting, spying on up to 90 women, has been sentenced to 31 months in prison. Jake Austin, 31, was caught after a woman he was filming saw his face peering through her bedroom window.
Police were called to the Norwich property in March 2024 and found Austin nearby. A subsequent search of his phone and home computers revealed the extent of his activities. Austin had been spying on the woman for four months, but checks on his devices uncovered evidence of invasions of privacy by scores of other women. These incidents included filming victims through windows or gaps in blinds while they were undressed, and upskirting in public places such as supermarkets and pubs.
Most of the women targeted by Austin have not been identified and remain unaware that their privacy was violated. He admitted to five charges of voyeurism and three counts of recording an image under clothing without consent. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to three offenses of making indecent images of children, including eight photos and 13 videos classified as the most serious type, Category A.
During sentencing at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Andrew Shaw described Austin's actions as a "campaign of voyeurism and upskirting" for sexual gratification, involving "multiple" victims. The judge noted the "indignity" women faced in identifying themselves in evidence and stated that Austin posed a high risk of serious harm to the public.
Victim impact statements read in court detailed the profound effect Austin's actions had. One victim described a "significant violation of privacy" and feeling more guarded around strangers. Another expressed disturbance at knowing they had been watched and filmed. A third spoke of feeling "vulnerable" and experiencing anxiety, particularly concerning her young daughter.
Austin's offenses occurred between June 2020 and his arrest. Images found on his devices included one of the initial victim sitting naked on her bed. Despite the widespread nature of his offending, only six victims had been identified and contacted by Norfolk Police by the time of the hearing.
Andrew Oliver, Austin's defense counsel, stated that his client developed an "unhealthy" obsession following a "toxic" relationship that led to post-traumatic stress disorder. Austin, who had no previous convictions, acknowledged his actions were deliberate and expressed remorse.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Matthew Hubbard called Austin's offending a "serious and sustained pattern of predatory behaviour." He emphasized that Austin deliberately targeted unaware women in both public and private spaces. Hubbard encouraged anyone who witnesses or experiences such behavior to report it to the police, noting that voyeurism and upskirting can be indicators of escalating behavior.
In addition to his prison sentence, Austin was placed on the Sex Offenders register indefinitely and made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.