A MANAGER of a technology firm secretly took photographs of a teenage girl as she showered in her own home.

Paul Andrew Richardson hid his mobile phone inside a bathroom moments before the 17-year-old took a shower.

He then used a watch device, connected to the phone, to remotely take photographs of the girl as she washed.

But he was caught out after the girl spotted the mobile.

The girl was left feeling “distressed” and “angry” by the incident, which was later reported to the police.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Richardson, who described the incident as a “moment of madness”, was given a suspended sentence.

The court heard the incident took place in February this year.

Prosecutor Rodrick Blaine said that after being reported to the police, Richardson voluntarily attended an interview with officers in which he admitted the offence.

In mitigation, barrister Jodie Mittell said Richardson, who according to his Linkedin page is a manager at logistics technology firm, BoxTop Technologies, had never previously been before the courts and was a man of “positive character”.

She said the incident was “extremely out of character” and that Richardson had described the incident as a “moment of madness”.

She added: “He accepts full responsibility and regrets his actions and is ashamed by his behaviour.”

The court also heard that Richardson had reached out for help at the Marchwood Priory.

Ms Mittell said there was a “realistic prospect” that Richardson could be rehabilitated and that probation, in a pre-sentence report, had recommended a community order as punishment.

Richardson, who pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and one count of taking an indecent image of a child, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said: “There is no sentence that I can pass that can undo the serious pain which you have done to the victim and her family.

"The effect on her has been obvious.

He added: “You have shown remorse and regret and you are taking steps to address what you did.”

“There is also a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and strong personal mitigation.”

As well as a suspended sentence, Richardson, of Totton, was ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made the subject of registration requirements and a sexual harm prevention order, both for five years.