A depraved teacher has been jailed for setting up cameras to watch young boys in private and school settings. David Yilma, a Czech national living in Newton Abbot, has been sentenced to three years and two months at Exeter Crown Court.
The court heard that IT expert Yilma, aged 44, set up carefully constructed covert cameras and hid them in various settings, recording a number of boys over several years. The offences took place both in South Devon and in Suffolk. The school recordings took place at an educational establishment in Suffolk.
At least one of the hidden cameras was disguised inside a Wi-Fi router and another in a cotton bud box. Yilma’s offending was uncovered when someone noticed a live feed from one of Yilma’s cameras on his tablet.
Police were called and Yilma was arrested. Examination of his devices found a large volume of footage of the boys he had secretly recorded, as well as other child abuse material accessed via the dark web.
Prosecutor Simon Burns described Yilma’s behaviour as the “elaborate, highly skilled, professional installation of covert cameras”. Some of the offences also related to Yilma secretly recording his victims with handheld devices.
Yilma, who has no previous convictions, told police he was attracted to boys.
Judge David Evans said: “You are 44 and worked as a teacher for many years. You are an IT specialist and abused your role as a teacher and misused your knowledge of technology to facilitate these offences.”
Judge Evans stated that Yilma recorded footage of seven boys carrying out activities during which they’d expect privacy. “You are clearly a danger to young boys and would be a maligned presence in any educational establishment.”
Yilma pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to four counts of voyeurism, three of making indecent images of child, one count of possessing a prohibited image of children and two counts of Production of indecent images of children.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. These matters were not proceeded with, following consultation between all interested parties.
Judge Evans also mentioned Yilma’s intention to set up a boys’ school in Czechia, adding that he hopes he is never successful in his ambition.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Natalie Mawson said afterwards: “Today my thoughts are foremost with those affected by David Yilma’s actions. They have had their trust breached by a person that they should have been there to protect them.
“David Yilma took advantage of children for his own sexual gratification, and I welcome the sentence that has been passed by the judge today.”
If you have been affected by this article there is support available.
You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
The Stop It Now charity provides an anonymous helpline for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and can help if you are worried about your own thoughts, feelings or behaviour, or have any concerns about another adult or young person: www.stopitnow.org.uk