Navy

Sailor Cleared Of Voyeurism Over Ship's Shower Sex Tape

A Royal Navy sailor has been told he is free to return to duties after being cleared at court martial of a charge of voyeurism.

Leading Logistician Scott Furber - who had always denied that he filmed a video of himself having consensual sex with a female colleague in the showers of a warship without her knowledge - wept on hearing the verdict.

The woman had earlier told the court martial that she felt "horrible and violated" after being made aware that the recording existed by her boss.

The two day trial at Portsmouth Naval Base heard that 29-year-old Furber and the Wren agreed to meet for consensual sex on board HMS Diamond while the Type 45 air defence destroyer was visiting the port of Limassol in Cyprus, in June 2014.

Before she arrived, Scott Furber, who was a chef on board, had set his mobile phone on a shelf in the shower and subsequently made a 10-minute recording of their encounter.

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Furber, who is currently based at HMS Excellent, initially denied making the recording and had told investigators that the only recording on his phone was of his fiancee. He later admitted making the video but claimed the alleged victim had agreed to the filming.

Major David Whittaker, prosecuting, had earlier told the trial that: "He said he had lied initially because he was embarrassed this had come to light and didn't realise the severity. He said it was just a bit of fun."

"He said they had discussed it earlier in the day, they agreed to have sex and agreed to film it, he was adamant she had agreed. He denied showing it to anyone."

The Wren, who denied she had agreed to film the sex act, had told the court that she had spent time earlier that day with a group, including the defendant, on a beach, during which they had drunk and he had applied sun cream on her back.

She said they had flirted through Whatsapp text messages and arranged to have sex on board later.

Judge Advocate Jeff Blackett told the defendant that he and his female colleague could still face being punished for contravention of standing orders by breaching the navy's "no touching" rules.

He said: "You have been found not guilty by this court of the charge of voyeurism. Whether the service prosecuting authority consider a breach of standing orders is not something this court has any view on."