A VOYEUR has been jailed for using the dark web to ogle naked women in their homes around the world.

Pervert Robert Reid, 39, hacked into online cameras to spy on strangers having sex and scantily-clad woman on beaches in the UK, the USA, Russia and eastern Europe, a court has heard.

He told police he started his 'obsession' during the Covid pandemic as he got lonely and had watched hundreds of films.

Reid, of Newbury, admitted causing a computer to perform a function to enable unauthorised access to data.

But Judge Edward Burgess told him: "The name of the offence doesn't reflect the underlying voyeuristic sexual interest with women, which is a theme I have identified in your previous convictions.

"This involves significant planning and sophistication, by hacking into cameras.

"There were hundreds of films and images recorded.

"I'm in no doubt this is a case of increased harm because victims from all around the world were recorded in their own homes and where they believed they would be enjoying the right to a private life."

Reid was sentenced to 12 months in prison and the court heard he may be kept in jail after finishing the sentence because he was also subject to an indefinite jail term imposed in 2007 for trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

On that occasion his female victim awoke to find Reid in her bedroom, lifting up her top and touching her.

During the hearing at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, October 4, Charles Ward-Jackson, prosecuting, described his latest offending as "quite a sophisticated process."

Sabrina Felix, defending, said: "This was during the midst of the Covid pandemic.

"He had been working for some time within the catering industry.

"When the pandemic hit, it affected many people in many different ways.

"Unfortunately, for Mr Reid he felt particularly lonely."

Adding: "He knows he will be sentenced to a period in custody, but he just wanted the court to be aware of his remorse and regret."

Reid was jailed for 12 months, at least half of which he must spend locked up.

The authorities will then consider if his indefinite prison sentence, handed to him in 2007, should be enacted.