Shropshire Peeping Tom airman sees jail term cut
A Shropshire airman who was jailed for filming a naked colleague has had his sentence cut by appeal judges.
Jonathan Cook, 31, who was based at RAF Shawbury, secreted recording equipment in the woman's room at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire in order to film her as she dressed following a shower.
He admitted voyeurism and two counts of stalking, and was sentenced to 14 months detention at a court martial in Wiltshire in May this year.
But yesterday, after an appeal by his lawyers in London, three senior judges said the sentence was too tough – and reduced it to nine months.
Lead judge Sir Brian Leveson said the fact "disgraced" Cook had lost his career was additional punishment.
The Court of Appeal heard Cook became infatuated with the woman while on a training course at the Lincolnshire base.
He set up a fake Facebook account, which he used in an attempt to split up the target of his affection and her partner.
He sent a string of messages, claiming the woman had had affairs and sent a naked picture to back up his claims.
When his room was searched following his identification as the culprit, nine pairs of the woman's knickers were found.
Cook was of previous good character and had never been the subject of disciplinary action before, the court heard.
His legal team argued that the sentence was too tough and won the five-month cut from Sir Brian, Mrs Justice Elisabeth Laing and Mr Justice William Davis.
Sir Brian said: "It is, in our judgment, clear that these offences of stalking, while serious and certainly justifying a custodial sentence, weren't the worst example of this type of offence.
"There are undoubtedly mitigating factors in his absence of previous convictions and his previous good character, along with the remorse which he has showed.
"We have come to the conclusion that this sentence was, indeed, manifestly excessive."
