His Stepfather Recorded While Taking A Shower, This Teenager Was Depressed And Almost Committed Suicide
JAKARTA - A 19-year-old woman opens her voice after her stepfather was found guilty of voyeurism. He was a victim of sexual harassment by those who raised him since he was 4 years old.
Lauren Brightwood was both shocked and terrified to find a cell phone recording her in her shower. This incident occurred on the night of his 18th birthday.
He became even more terrified when he found out that the phone belonged to Thomas Craig Lewis (35) - who married his mother, Michelle in 2005.
Lauren was showering in November 2018 when she saw the phone hidden behind a glass panel over the bath.
He then sent a text message to his mother writing: "Come to the bathroom but don't tell Craig", reports WalesLive quoted by the Daily Star , Monday, October 12.
The two women were horrified when they concluded that Michelle's husband, Lauren's stepfather, was the culprit who filmed her in the bathroom.
After they contacted the police, Lewis was eventually charged with two counts of voyeurism. First incident in 2014, and second in 2018. Yes, the stepfather has been secretly filming Lauren since she was 13 years old.
He pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates Court in September and will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, 16 October.
While discussing the case, Police Detective Andrea Taylor, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "This case is taking a long time to resolve and I would like to commend the victim for her determination and courage over the years in getting it to the end.
"I hope the fact that Lewis has pleaded guilty to the offense gives him (Lauren) a little comfort and allows him to move on with his life. Lewis' behavior is very cruel - he totally violated this girl's privacy and I'm glad she has been punished.
"What he is doing is truly embarrassing and I hope he reflects on this terrible incident for a long time."
Discussing the incident and her stepfather's betrayal, Lauren told WalesOnline : "These have been very difficult times and since they happened, my life has completely changed.
"I was not the same person I was before that happened. I will never completely trust people again, I struggle with being around older men, I have to grow up so fast.
"I've never had anxiety attacks before, but now I have anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
"I am a different person, I am more careful when I enter a house that I have never been in before, I look around the room and check if there are sometimes cameras there."
He added: "He basically raised me, I have known him since I was four years old, we have a normal father-son relationship and I think my mother is really struggling because she blames herself (for this incident)."