A PENRITH man who has admitted voyeurism and disclosing a “private sexual photo” of a woman has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Alexander Nicholas Balcombe, 27, had originally denied the two allegations when he appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court. But he later changed his plea to guilty for both offences.

He committed the offences in July last year, the court heard. The voyeurism offence involved him recording a woman doing a "private act", without her consent, so he could later look at it for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

Magistrates imposed 23-weeks jail, suspending the term for a year, noting that Balcombe had taken photos of his victim while she was asleep, breaching her trust. They ruled that he must participate in up to ten days of rehabilitation.

They also imposed a restraining order, banning any contact with the victim. This will last until June of next year. The defendant, of Auction Mart Lane, Penrith, must pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £128 victim surcharge.

He will be on the Sex Offender Register for seven years. In court, Balcombe was represented by defence lawyer Anthony Wilson.