A former Christian street pastor who used a hidden camera to record a young woman naked on at least 10 separate occasions has been jailed for nine months.

Surrey Comet:

Paul Jacobs, 56, of Grand Avenue, Berrylands, appeared at Kingston Crown Court yesterday for his sentencing after pleading guilty to voyeurism at a previous hearing.

The chef, who quit the voluntary organisation which regularly assists late-night revellers in town centres earlier this year after his arrest, had many friends and supporters in court who reacted with shock as he was imprisoned.

The Comet is unable to publish details of the case due to legal restrictions, however the offences date back to September last year and only came to light when the victim discovered a hidden camera.

Jacobs admitted his guilt during police interviews.

He also admitted viewing the footage which ranged from 20 seconds to two minutes, before deleting it. He did not upload the footage to the internet, the court heard.

Prosecutor Thom Dyke said: “During his interviews Mr Jacobs said he had prayed a lot and that God told him to admit what he had done and take responsibility for his actions.”

Defence barrister Mr Shaw told the court: “I don’t deny there is a strong case against Mr Jacobs, but that comes from the fact he made a full and frank admission at the first opportunity.”

He read out a letter from a pastor at Hampton Wick Baptist Church, where Jacobs worships, in which she insisted the church was now fully aware of what he had done, but had forgiven him.

Recorder Ian Peddie called the crime “serious and distressing”, describing the victim as having suffered “a horrendous year which had caused her great hurt and humiliation”.

He gave credit - time off his sentence - for the early plea, genuine remorse and low risk of re-offending but said: “You have pleaded guilty to the offence of voyeurism which is a serious offence that is done for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification from a person who has not consented and is unaware.

“I accept that you have shown genuine remorse and shame for what you have done and accept that your life is in tatters, but so is hers.

“You have done work for years with homeless and disadvantaged people, you were well respected in the community. That is obvious from the many supporters you have here in court today to hear you being sentenced.

“However, the public must be made aware of the consequences of this type of crime and therefore I sentence you to nine months imprisonment which would have been 13 and a half had you not received the credit I mentioned earlier."

He said Jacobs was likely to serve only half this sentence but must remain on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.