Church Official Pleads Guilty to Voyeurism for Secretly Recording Women
A Calgary church official has pleaded guilty to a voyeurism charge after police discovered hundreds of video recordings of naked women who were unaware they were being filmed. Brad Dewar admitted to surreptitiously recording multiple women in his southwest Calgary residence, including one who considered him a father figure.
Son's Discovery Triggers Police Investigation
The case came to light when Dewar's son, while visiting his father's home, discovered disturbing videos on electronic devices. The son immediately contacted authorities after finding footage that appeared to show women changing clothes and engaging in private activities without their knowledge or consent.
The son reported his findings to an RCMP officer in Saskatchewan, who then alerted Calgary police officials. This prompted a thorough investigation that culminated in a raid at Dewar's residence, where officers seized four electronic devices containing the illicit recordings.
Extensive Collection of Secret Recordings
Crown prosecutor Greg Piper detailed the evidence during court proceedings, revealing that police found more than 300 recordings dating back to 2012. The videos showed women in various states of undress, with some completely nude and others changing clothing.
"Investigators were able to identify one of the victims," Piper stated, noting that the woman's identity is protected by a publication ban. The victim originally came from Kenya, where Dewar had previously visited her family before she moved to Canada.
The prosecutor explained that Dewar had intentionally recorded this particular woman without her knowledge while she stayed at properties under his control. She had considered Dewar a trusted figure who officiated at her wedding and felt protected by him, making the violation particularly egregious.
Additional Victims and Legal Proceedings
Dewar also admitted to recording at least three other women in bedrooms within his home, though he claimed these recordings were unintentional. According to the statement of agreed facts, Dewar left recording devices running without properly disabling them and failed to delete the footage when he discovered it had captured these additional victims.
At the request of defence lawyer Elena Ryland, Justice Sara Bagg ordered both a presentence report by probation services and a psychological risk assessment for Dewar. These reports will assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence, as the prosecution and defence have not reached agreement on sentencing recommendations.
Church Position and Community Impact
At the time of his arrest, Dewar served as secretary of Victory Churches and, according to his Facebook profile, held the position of dean at the organization's local training campus. The case has raised serious questions about trust and safety within religious communities.
The court proceedings continue as authorities work to ensure justice for all victims affected by these secret recordings. The psychological assessment ordered by the court will provide crucial insight into Dewar's risk factors and potential for rehabilitation.
