In 2026, a 28-year-old man was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to voyeurism, making indecent photographs of children, and threatening an innocent bystander with an imitation firearm while on bail.
Payam Golestani, residing at Selbourne Avenue, Gateshead, appeared before the court via video link from HMP Durham on Thursday 29 October 2026 for sentencing on a consolidated indictment.
The prosecution outlined that police executed a search warrant at Golestani’s home address on 20 May 2024 following intelligence regarding illicit digital downloads. Digital forensic analysis of an iPad and iPhone recovered from the property revealed an array of indecent photographs and videos of children across Categories A, B, and C, depicting victims between the ages of 12 and 16. In addition to the child exploitation material, examiners uncovered 50 covert voyeuristic recordings. The videos depicted men using public toilet cubicles, captured without their knowledge or consent through holes bored into partition walls. Digital records also showed Golestani participating in online messaging chats discussing the illicit media.
While released on police bail pending forensic analysis, Golestani committed further offences on 13 August 2026. After noticing damage to the windscreen of his partner’s Peugeot, Golestani entered the Low Fell Fish Bar and aggressively challenged a male customer who was eating with his family. Despite the victim having no involvement in the damage, Golestani escorted him outside to inspect the vehicle.
During the confrontation outside, Golestani became verbally abusive, stating: “I will do whatever the f*** I want,” before lifting his outer clothing to reveal an imitation handgun tucked securely into his waistband. The victim reported being severely intimidated, fearing he was about to be shot or subjected to serious physical injury.
The confrontation was captured by the vehicle’s onboard dashcam. Subsequent analysis of the camera’s memory card revealed footage of Golestani driving at speeds of up to 60mph within a designated 30mph residential zone and failing to stop at a red traffic light. Officers executing follow-up searches discovered an extendable baton inside the vehicle and a large cache of imitation firearms stored within an outbuilding shed.
Golestani entered formal guilty pleas to:
Three counts of making indecent images of children
One count of voyeurism
One count of possession of an imitation firearm
One count of possession of an offensive weapon
One count of careless driving
Tony Cornberg, defending, submitted that Golestani made full admissions and pointed to underlying psychological trauma contributing to a sexual preoccupation, stating that the subsequent firearm incident took place during a period of personal crisis.
Passing sentence, Recorder Jamie Hill addressed the intrusion of privacy involved in capturing voyeuristic footage in public conveniences, the gravity of consuming child abuse imagery, and the severe public terror generated by brandishing an imitation weapon in a public street.
The judge ordered Golestani to serve an immediate custodial term of 20 months’ imprisonment.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court made Golestani subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered him to comply with statutory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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