by Jamie Bullen

A church youth leader has admitted spying on a young man while he was in the shower during a visit to a faith camp.

Mark Pennell, 37, admitted filming the man when he attended the East of England Show with other members of the church in August.

The court heard how the victim became suspicious of Pennell, a youth leader, after he repeatedly showered next to him, and the victim noticed a glow coming from a mobile phone.

Magistrates heard Pennell, of Tooley Street, Northfleet, positioned his mobile phone in a gap between the floor and the cubicle.

The victim said he tried to cover the camera lens with items of clothing but they were removed.

"i was crying and was really scared, my voice was shaking as i went through everything…” – victim

Jenny Yale, prosecuting, said the victim became "shocked and scared" by Pennell and even joked with a friend that he thought he was being filmed.

In a statement, the victim said: "I started to notice Mark would take a shower next to me despite a whole row of empty cubicles. I asked him why and he said 'because I'm like that, mate'.

"Afterwards I was walking around the site with one of my friends and said 'maybe he was filming me in the shower'. We both laughed it off."

Ms Yale said the victim eventually told his parents after he became increasingly worried.

The victim's statement continued: "I ran to the area where my mum and dad's tent was and told them I needed to speak to them.

"I was crying and was really scared, my voice was shaking as I went through everything.

"I tried to avoid him but he came up to me and asked 'do you want me to pray for you?' I said it was ok."

The young man reported the incident to police in Peterborough. Pennell was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

John Norton, defending, said his client was "desperately upset and ashamed" by his actions.

Magistrate Christine Rose sadi she viewed this as a serious breach of trust and adjourned sentencing until February 7 for reports to be prepared. Pennell was released on bail on condition he does not contact the victim.

Pennell is said to have stepped down from his role at the church and is receiving support from another church.