A former Queensland police sergeant acted in “absolute disgrace” to his uniform when he secretly filmed a teenager while she was in the shower and took pictures under another’s skirt, a judge has said.

Stephen Michael Calcutt pleaded guilty in the Ipswich District Court today to three charges of recording in breach of privacy, and two charges of possessing child exploitation material.

The court heard the 55-year-old, who had been part of the police for more than two decades, had also filmed a masseuse without her consent while she performed an erotic massage on him.

Crown Prosecutor Lauren Knobel told the court all the offences occurred in early 2024, when Calcutt was still a police officer — but said he had since left the service.

The court heard Calcutt had purchased the spy cameras off Amazon and set them up in a shower.

He then took several stills from the recorded vision, which focused on several of the body parts of a girl who was under 18.

“The defendant viewed and utilised the video for his own sexual gratification,” Ms Knobel told the court.

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Victim left feeling ‘uncomfortable and unsafe’

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Ms Knobel, the girl stated she had issues with work and feared going to places alone since the offending occurred.

“I feel uncomfortable and unsafe going to new places in fear there will be cameras, or my privacy be invaded,” the statement said.

Both teenagers were present in court for the sentencing proceeding — though one, who was filmed in the shower, left halfway through proceedings.

The other girl, who had images taken up her skirt, also tendered a victim impact statement to the court.

“You turned my world upside down,” the statement said.

“You’re a man of power, a police officer, someone I thought was there to protect. But you didn’t protect me.

“You used that power to tear apart my sense of safety and question everything I once believed about trust.”

She said what Calcutt did was “not just an invasion of space, but it’s an invasion of my soul”.

“You stole the very essence of who I am, the ability to feel secure, the ability to be free in my own skin.

“I can no longer let anyone close to me.”

Calcutt looked straight ahead and showed no emotion as the statements were read out.

Actions ‘disgusting and revolting’, judge says

Ms Knobel told the court when police searched Calcutt’s phone and hard drives, which were found during a search of his Springfield Lakes home, they found 30 cartoon images of children in sexual situations in a folder called “lollie”.

A story about a 10-year-old being raped by an adult male was also found saved to Calcutt’s Snapchat account as part of a conversation with an unknown person.

Calcutt’s defence barrister Kate Juhasz submitted to the court he should only have to serve 240 hours of community service and be subject to a three-year probation with no conviction recorded.

She said Calcutt had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and a major depression disorder, and has had suicidal ideations in the past.

She submitted he had experienced “public humiliation” as a result of media reports around the case.

Judge Craig Chowdhury ultimately sentenced Calcutt to 12 months in prison, suspended after three months.

Calcutt will also be subject to a two year probation order when released.

Judge Chowdhury said Calcutt’s actions were “disgusting and revolting” and there was obviously “premeditation involved”.

“The main cause of the offending was to get perverted sexual gratification,” Judge Chowdhury said.

“Any police officer would understand the gravity of child pornography.

“They’d also understand the harm caused to innocent victims recorded without their knowledge.

“It is an absolute disgrace, there’s no question. It’s a disgrace to the uniform, to the standing of the Queensland Police Service.”

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