Jordan Thomas had also accessed other people's computers and downloaded intimate pictures of women
A student used a spy camera hidden in a watch to film women going to the toilet, a court has heard.
Jordan Thomas's covert recordings were discovered when the suspicious-looking watch with a USB computer memory stick attached was found and its contents checked.
Police were alerted and began an investigation, and it then emerged the 23-year-old University of Wales Trinity Saint David photography student had also accessed other people's computers and downloaded intimate pictures of women.
Thomas, of Rhodfa'r Wennol, Cwmrhydyceirw, near Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to installing or operating equipment without authority. He also admitted three counts of voyeurism, unauthorised access of computer equipment, and possession of a small quantity of cannabis when he appeared in the dock of Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.
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Tom Scapens, prosecuting, said the watch in question had a "spy-like camera" on its face which could record digital films. The watch and memory stick contained 16 movies running to more than two-and-a-half hours in total, though due to the limitations of the device it was not possible to say when they had been recorded. A further film was found on the defendant's Mac laptop computer.
He said that in some of the footage Thomas could be seen placing the watch before a female used the facilities, then later retrieving the device.
The barrister said: "Any images captured of private parts of the body were fleeting images and not of great quality."
Mr Scapens added that it was not known where the films were shot, but that they were not on university property.
The court heard a victim impact statement from one of the women caught on film in which she said she felt "violated".
Huw Davies, for Thomas, said his client was "deeply ashamed" of what he had done, and "bitterly regrets his conduct".
The barrister said the defendant was in his final year at university and had been told he would not be allowed to graduate if he were sent to prison immediately.
Judge Geraint Walters described Thomas's actions as shocking.
He told the defendant: "Outwardly you appeared a pleasant, decent, honest, young man — but underneath that there was a secret side to you."
Thomas was sentenced to a total of six months in prison suspended for two years, and was given a community order with a rehabilitation course. He was also put on the sex offenders register for seven years.
The judge put-over an application to have Thomas's laptop forfeited and destroyed after being told all the student's coursework was stored on it — he said he hoped the police would look again at the application.
A spokeswoman for the University of Wales Trinity St David said: "The student was immediately suspended from his studies at University of Wales Trinity Saint David when we were informed that he was the subject of a police investigation into an incident, which happened in private accommodation and not on university property.
"The university is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its students at all times and the incident was treated seriously and in accordance with strict university procedures."
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/student-used-camera-hidden-watch-12531614
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