CALGARY – A Calgary contractor has been charged with voyeurism after clients discovered a hidden camera inside the bathroom of their Coventry Hills home.
The accused was renovating the home at the time, with a company he operated called The Good Shepherd Group.
It’s alleged the contractor installed a covert camera and recording device inside an electrical socket sometime between August 1st and November 14th, 2014.
“The victim was in her bathroom and she noticed that the newly installed electrical socket appeared to have a screw that was overly worn, and she also noticed that one of the electrical outlets didn’t work,” explains Constable Neil Macpherson. “So she decided to remove the socket from the wall, and she discovered the camera and recording device inside.”
The victim contacted police, who confirmed the device had recorded compromising images of the two females who lived in the home.
“There was one memory card recovered by the victims,” adds Macpherson. “It appears to cover the periods from August to November.”
“Understandably, they were shocked and they were very embarrassed.”
Macpherson says the victims were at first reluctant to contact police.
“They knew they were going to have to disclose this media, with images of them naked, in the privacy of their home.”
The victims were referred to the contractor by members of their church congregation.
Police have charged 43-year-old Ting Kay Chu (who also uses the alias Tohmus Tikay Chu) with two counts of voyeurism and two counts of failing to comply with a court order.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have work in progress by Chu and his company, or have concerns about work completed by him, to contact them.
Police say Chu does not hold a valid business licence.
Contractors who take payment before the work is complete and who look for work, discuss or finalize a contract away from a regular place of business must be licensed by Service Alberta and post a security deposit.
They must use a contract that includes an itemized price list, completion date and a statement of consumers’ cancellation rights.
For more information on consumers’ rights and protections, check out Service Alberta’s Home Renovations tip sheet.
Albertans can find out whether a prepaid contractor is licensed online or by calling the Consumer Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-427-4088.
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