Adam Ward, 30, has been put behind bars for four years and four months (Picture: North News and Pictures)

A pervert who secretly spied on a woman using the toilet and children getting dressed has been jailed.

Adam Ward, 30, was caught when his vile collection of photos and videos was discovered on several of his computers.

He had placed cameras in the ceiling of the bathrooms and changing rooms at Sage Gateshead to create the sickening content.

Footage from the cultural centre formed just part of the more than 22,000 indecent images of children, featuring babies as young as six months.

Ward had taken some of the horrific photos himself, even filming his own sexual assault on a young child, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The finance worker, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, admitted sexual
assault, voyeurism, making indecent images of children, taking indecent images of a child, possessing extreme pornography and voyeurism.

His defence lawyer said: ‘He has expressed remorse, albeit there’s evidence of a lack of victim empathy. He is intelligent and had a good job.’

Sage Gateshead is a cultural centre in the North East (Picture: North News and Pictures)

The court also heard how Ward has complex mental health problems.

Judge Julie Clemitson said Ward was a dangerous offender who poses a ‘high risk of causing serious harm’.

He was sentenced to four years and four months behind bars with a five year and eight month extended licence period.

Detective constable Elizabeth Biggins said: ‘This has been a long and thorough investigation by our team to ensure success at court and involved months of trawling through electronic devices.

‘Ward’s actions are despicable, but we have been able to strike and secure
the evidence needed to secure a conviction.

‘I would like to thank the families involved for their assistance, resilience
and patience throughout the investigation.

‘I hope this sends a firm message to other potential offenders that our
robust stance on this deplorable type of crime remains strong, and that the next
person at your door could very well be us.

‘I would always encourage anyone with information about this type of
offending, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim, to come forward and talk to us.

‘You will be heard and supported, and we will work hard to ensure any
offenders have their day in court.’

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The pervert had 22,000 indecent images of children, featuring babies as young as six months.