A former sleep scientist at Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for illegally accessing intimate video footage of a dozen female patients while they undressed.
Systematic Breach of Trust and Privacy
Stuart James King, who worked at the hospital, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of unlawful computer use with intent to benefit. The offences occurred between August 2019 and August 2020. King used the hospital's computer system to obtain private footage of 12 women changing clothes before and after their sleep studies.
The District Court heard the videos showed patients removing pants, underwear, and bras, exposing their breasts. In one particularly invasive recording, a woman was filmed drying herself after a shower and applying lotion to her naked body.
Judge Questions Hospital's Filming Practices
During sentencing on Friday, Judge Charlotte Wallace delivered a scathing assessment of the hospital's decision to install cameras in rooms where patients changed. She labelled the practice "absurd" and stated there was "no therapeutic need for these recordings to exist."
"This has unearthed a very, very serious concern," Judge Wallace remarked, highlighting a fundamental failure in patient privacy safeguards.
The judge emphasised that King had violated vulnerable patients who were already seeking help for sleep issues. "He has violated the bodily autonomy of these women and their right to privacy," she said.
Addiction, Discovery, and Lasting Harm
King's defence lawyer, Ashley Watson, told the court his client had a long-standing addiction to pornography and was voyeuristic. Watson said King was "ashamed and deeply embarrassed" and acknowledged his "selfish actions have harmed a lot of people." The court heard King had since separated from his wife and lost contact with his two young children.
However, Judge Wallace found King was only remorseful because he had been caught, describing his actions as "planned and premeditated." The offending came to light after King's wife tipped off police, who executed a search warrant at his Marangaroo home in January. King initially hid his laptop in a filing cabinet at the hospital before later admitting its location.
The psychological impact on the victims was severe. Some women now distrust the hospital system and refuse treatment from male health professionals. "You have caused immeasurable harm," Judge Wallace told King.
King will be eligible for parole in August 2028. He has also pleaded guilty to three separate charges of using an optical surveillance device, indecent acts in public, and stalking, for which he will be sentenced on December 19.
