A “dangerous” sex offender has been jailed for 17 years after he betrayed the trust of eight women who had visited his premises for laser hair removal treatments.

Bradford Crown Court heard today how Terry James, who appeared friendly and professional to his clients, put goggles and blindfolds on his unsuspecting victims during the procedures and then used a secret camera to film and photograph them.

During his sentence hearing the court heard how his victims were subsequently frightened that the images and recordings may end up on the internet in the future.

A police investigation was launched into the 53-year-old’s offending last year and today Judge Sophie McKone commended the hard work of the two detectives who had handled the case with great sensitivity.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: James has been jailed James has been jailed (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

James, of Halifax Road, Dewsbury, went on trial in September, but on the seventh day he finally changed his pleas to guilty after five of his victims had already had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence and being cross-examined in front of a jury of strangers.

Prosecutor Chloe Hudson said the other three complainants had also been at court waiting to give evidence.

It emerged today that in 2017, James had been given a suspended prison sentence of four months for possessing indecent images of children and in May 2020 he was arrested again for having similar material.

He was released under investigation for those offences and went on to commit the more serious sexual offences against the women.

At his trial James eventually pleaded guilty to 13 charges of assault by penetration, five allegations of sexual assaults and further offences of distributing indecent images of children and possessing indecent images of children.

Judge McKone said James was a man “with no sexual boundaries” whose perverted desires were not satisfied by looking at indecent images of children.

“You used your business as a front to sexually assault women,” she told James.

She said James had lured victims into his business by offering discounts on the laser treatments.

“These women trusted you,” said Judge McKone.

“You groomed them by being friendly to them. You led them to believe you were being professional. You led them to believe you were their friend and you betrayed that trust in the most vile way.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Crown Court

She said all the women were extremely vulnerable and James had deliberately covered their eyes so they had no idea what was he was doing.

The judge said James’ selfish actions had had a profound impact on his victims’ lives and the fear of the videos ending up on social media must have made the women feel incredibly anxious.

Two of James’ victims were at court to read out their personal statements.

One described suffering flashbacks of the abuse and having to undergo counselling while the other said she had been “groomed” by James and now felt she could not trust men in a professional capacity.

Another victim said in her statement that she felt “violated” by what he had done and the whole thing made her feel sick.

Judge McKone concluded that James was a dangerous offender and that an extended licence period of three years was needed in his case.

James will now have to serve at least two-thirds of his 17-year sentence before the Parole Board could consider whether it was safe to release him.

He will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for life and comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

“Your offending was serious over a relatively lengthy period of time,” said the judge.

“It involved eight victims whose trust you sought and then betrayed.”