A PAEDOPHILE has been convicted for setting up a secret camera so he could spy on a teenage girl.

Dennis Carroll's "pre-planned operation" involved him drilling into a wall so he could place a hidden camera behind a poster and record his victim.

After denying any involvement, Carroll, of Hay Lane North, Braintree, stood trial accused of seven sexual offences.

Trial - Dennis Carroll continues to deny any involvement, despite the court being told that the camera filmed him setting up the device to spy on his victimTrial - Dennis Carroll continued to deny any involvement, despite the court being told that the camera filmed him setting up the device to spy on his victim (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

A jury later convicted him taking an indecent photo of a child, three charges of making an indecent photo of a child, possessing a prohibited image of a child, and voyeurism.

Carroll was cleared of having sexual activity with a girl.

His Honour Judge Alexander Mills told Chelmsford Crown Court how Carroll’s sexual interest in children “became more than a fantasy” when he set up a camera obscured by a poster.

When officers investigated the history on Carroll’s devices, they found bookmarks linking to footage of the victim filmed on camera.

The same camera filmed Carroll, 66, adjusting the position of the device so he could gain a clearer view of his victim.

Judge Mills said: “This was clearly pre-planned on your part – you searched for the relevant devices and purchased them.

“You seemingly doctored various items for the purposes of using a webcam.

“If you didn’t, you have been caught in any event of moving the cameras around in the room.”

Carroll still denies committing any of the offences.

It was argued in Carroll's defence it would be more beneficial for him to receive a sentence ordering him to carry out rehabilitation days.

Siobhan Molloy, mitigating, said: “Time in prison will not be time spent twiddling his thumbs as such, but he will not be learning or being educated – it won’t be changing his mindset or thought processes.

Calculated - His Honour Judge Alexander Mills said Carroll's actions were 'clearly pre-planned'Calculated - The court heard Carroll's actions were 'clearly pre-planned' (Image: Essex Police)

“A suspended sentence would hang over his head. He would be able to take up an accredited programme.”

Carroll was jailed for two years and eight months.

He must also pay £2,000 in costs and will be subject to indefinite notification requirements.