A Met police officer in charge of senior officers faces imprisonment after secretly filming nude models with spy cameras hidden inside tissue boxes, glasses, and keys.
Detective Inspector Neil Corbel, 40, secretly recorded up to 51 victims in hotels and Airbnbs in London, Manchester, Brighton, and London between January 2017 – February 2020.
The police officer approached the women via dating sites, pretending to be an airline pilot named Harrison. He then used a variety high-end spyware devices and videoed them during bogus photoshoots.
He left the women feeling embarrassed & humiliated’. One victim even cited Sarah Everard’s death as she described how the photoshoot had affected her life.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: ‘Following the murder of Sarah Everard this feels like a very frightening time to be a woman.’
‘If we can’t turn to the police to protect us, what are we supposed to do?’
DI Corbel was once the lead investigator in a case that was ‘extremely deadly’ and saved ‘countless lives. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday to receive 19 counts of voyeurism.
Metropolitan Police Detective Officer Neil Corbel, 40 used devices hidden in tissue boxes, phone charging cables, and glasses to record his victims
Corbel photographed outside Westminster Magistrates Court after pleading guilty for 19 voyeurism offenses
Corbel could be subject to a harsher sentence if the case is sent to the crown court.
The court heard that police found 51 women had been recorded, 31 of whom were identified and 19 agreed to make statements.
Corbel was part of the London Bridge terror attack team in June 2017. He used a variety everyday items such as tissue boxes, phone chargers and air fresheners to record his victims.
The officer was caught by a model who agreed not to be photographed naked but became suspicious of a digital timer.
A Google search for the brand name revealed that the device was a high-end spyware and video recording device that could be controlled remotely from a smartphone.
Prosecutor Babatunde Alabi opened the case by stating that Corbel, a Hertfordshire police officer, was the one who committed the offences.
He stated that Harrison was the one who contacted victims online. He claimed to have been an airline pilot and had an interest photography.
“He recorded victims using cameras disguised to look like everyday items, such as cell phone chargers and tissue boxes, digital clocks and air fresheners, and also using a smartphone and a DSLR camera to take still photographs.
Corbel faced four of the women in court. Three of the women took to the witness stand to read their victim impact statements.
Corbel secretly recorded a model who said that he felt betrayed.
“It is especially distressing that he is a high-ranking officer in the police force. I would expect much better from someone in his situation.
Another one said, “The fact the defendant was a police officer has scared and shocked me.”
The senior Metropolitan Police officer who secretly filmed naked women with spy cameras may have used his background in anti-terrorism to get the devices.
‘He’s supposed to enforce the law.
‘I expect he knows how to deal with people and he’s used his knowledge, experience and training to manipulate me. He was charming and convincing in his role.
“I just wanted to ask myself what else he was capable?
Other victims were not present in court. They mentioned Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, who was snatched from the street before being raped by Met Pc Wayne Couzens.
Couzens, 48, was sentenced to a whole-life imprisonment term last month.
The victim stated that it was a big deal that he was a policeman.
“These people are meant protect us. This is a fragile time for women after Sarah Everard’s murder.
‘Sex work can be dangerous, though I’m lucky in this is the first form of violence I have experienced at work.
‘If you can’t trust police officers, then what are we supposed to do?’
Edward Henry QC, who defended Corbel, stated in mitigation that the case had been ‘light years away.’ He also disputed the idea that he was using his skills as a police officer to defend the case.
He also said that Corbel suffers with’sex addiction’.
Henry QC also referred to his “single-handed determination” in ‘leading and researching a case that was extremely lethal and which he thwarted. He foiled it, saving many lives.”
Corbel, who has been suspended from his role within the Met’s Continuous Policing Improvement Command, pleaded guilty to 19 voyeurism offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in September and appeared to be sentenced on Tuesday.
After determining that his powers to sentence Corbel for a maximum period of one year were inadequate, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sent the case to Isleworth Crown Court.
He stated that he agreed with the assertion that addiction is a disease. I can’t agree with him in the end that my powers are sufficient. First, the offender had extensive planning.
“There is evidence that he may have used his formal knowledge to secure surveillance equipment. All the women were at risk in some way.
“On any view, the offense involved considerable deceit, using not only a different identity, but also essentially a different personality.
“He went to extraordinary lengths in hiding the filming. Of particular concern to me, there is at minimum a suggestion that he used his knowledge from his previous work to secure recording equipment.