Paedophile who filmed children using camera hidden in bathroom clock jailed in Belfast

Investigators say man 'exploited children who stayed at his home'

The case was heard at Belfast Crown Court (Google Streetview)

A paedophile who filmed children using a camera hidden in his bathroom clock has been jailed.

Patrice Renault, 43, was initially investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and police because of internet traffic showing he had viewed indecent images of children at his home.

He was found to have downloaded hundreds of videos of child abuse on to his computers, as well as extreme pornography and voyeuristic images.

“He quickly confessed to searching for and downloading images of ‘young boys in love’, directing officers to the relevant computers and handing over his passwords,” a spokesperson for the NCA said.

“But Renault did not tell officers he had hidden a camera in the clock in his bathroom and used it to record guests at his home. Those filmed included three children.”

A judge at Belfast Crown Court sentenced him to 16 months’ imprisonment for making indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography, and eight months for voyeurism.

The judge said Renault would spend six months in prison before being released to serve suspended prison sentence of 18 months.

Colin Radcliffe, a senior manager at the NCA, said: “Renault exploited guests who stayed at his house for his own sexual gratification.

“That was on top of the harm he did by downloading images of children. Behind every one of those was an instance of horrific abuse and Renault re-victimised children by viewing them.

“The NCA and PSNI will continue to work together to bring offenders who participate in the abuse of children to justice.”