A North Derbyshire newspaper has welcomed a judge’s decision to allow the naming of a doctor who secretly filmed a family as they undressed in a swimming pool changing room.

District Judge John Friel lifted a naming ban on the man as he was sentenced at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court.

The move followed two previous attempts to overturn the ban by Derbyshire Times editor Mike Wilson.

He had twice challenged the gagging order without success, and had been in court ready to argue the case again before the judge’s decision to lift the ban.

Reporting the case in the paper, editor Mike said: “It was important that this man was not allowed anonymity.

“The offences he carried out – especially filming a child in a family changing room at a public baths – warranted his name being published.

“Anything else would have been contrary tot he principle of open justice for all to see.”

The doctor, who was jailed for 12 months and placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, was originally granted anonymity after he twice tried to kill himself while on bail and it was feared publicity before sentencing would lead to further attempts.

But at sentencing the judge told the man he had decided to lift the ban because of his position as a doctor and the “considerable preparation” leading to the crime.

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