Det Insp Neil Corbel is facing jail for covertly recording models in hotel rooms with spy cameras.
Image source, Met Police
A model who was secretly filmed by a senior detective has been left with bald spots after pulling out her hair through stress, a court has heard.
Met Police Det Insp Neil Corbel conducted fake photoshoots in hotel rooms and Airbnbs across the UK.
He used cameras in tissue boxes, phone chargers and glasses to film women. The model told Isleworth Crown Court her life had been “completely derailed”.
Corbel will be sentenced by Judge Martin Edmunds QC later.
The case was moved to crown court for sentencing due to the severity of his crimes, which took place between 2017 and 2020. He previously admitted 19 voyeurism offences.
The 40-year-old – who the court heard was a diagnosed sex addict – claimed to be an airline pilot with an interest in photography. He met many of his victims through an online agency called PurplePort.
Corbel would then arrange photoshoots, but none of his victims consented to being filmed, the court heard.
Corbel was caught after a woman became suspicious that a digital clock in a hotel room might contain a camera.
Sixteen victims were models booked by Corbel; while three others were escorts or sex workers who consented to sexual activity but did not agree to being filmed, prosecutor Babatunde Alabi said.
The model was one of three who read out impact statements, ahead of Corbel’s sentencing.
“This experience has affected every aspect of my life,” she said. “I am used to taking calculated risks, now I turn down opportunities.
“I have been in therapy ever since. I am paranoid and jumpy and have panic attacks. I’m a model and a large part of this job is built on mutual trust.
“I have pulled out so much of my own hair through stress that I have bald spots and have had to turn down work as a result.”
‘Meant to protect us’
Other women filmed by the detective spoke of their anxiety and the impact of his crimes.
“The fact he is a policeman is a huge deal,” one said. “These people are meant to protect us.
“Following the murder of Sarah Everard this feels a very frightening time to be a woman.
“If the police can’t protect us what can we do?”