A sexual predator who secretly filmed a young girl was one of the worst cases of voyeurism that had ever come before him, a judge has said.

Colin Joliff, aged 66, of Carnmenellis, Reduth was only caught when an alarm in a hidden mobile phone went off.

When he was arrested a significant number of videos and pictures of a girl were found on his mobile. Many of the pictures were edited to focus on her private parts.

Also found on his phone were over 2,000 indecent images of other children downloaded from the internet.

Joliff appeared at Truro Crown Court on Thursday (November 28) for sentencing after admitting two charges of making indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of a child and one of voyeurism - recording a private act for sexual gratification.

Sentencing Joliff to a total of 12 months in prison, Judge Simon Carr said he had pleaded guilty to very serious offences.

He said it was one of the worst cases of voyeurism to ever come before him, adding that Joliff had conducted “a campaign” of voyeurism.

The judge said Joliff was only caught after the power source for a mobile phone failed and made a beeping noise, alerting people to its presence.

He added that the effect on the victim had been “devastating”.

For the voyeurism charge Joliff as given 12 months in prison, with three months in prison for the two other offences, to run concurrently.

A sexual harm prevention order was also made to restrict his access to the internet for period of five years, and he was placed on the sex offenders register.