A FINANCE boss who hid an iPhone in work showers to secretly film female workers naked has today avoided a prison sentence.

Nigel Parsons was told he would not go to jail for the 'despicable' act after a judge said he would not receive the support he needs behind bars.

The 34-year-old investment director, of Chapel Road, Flackwell Heath, rigged up the handset in a bathroom at the London finance firm where he worked to film colleagues as they undressed.

His sordid plot was rumbled when a worker spotted the phone and found recordings of herself and two other workmates naked in the shower - and Parsons was identified as the perpetrator after footage of himself setting up and adjusting the device was found.

A total of 61 indecent photos of children - including images of sadism and extreme sexual abuse - were also discovered on the phone.

Parsons had pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism, ten counts of making indecent images, one count of distributing an indecent image, and one count of possessing indecent images at an earlier hearing at Southwark Crown Court.

Passing sentence at the same court today Judge Anthony Leonard said: "The use of a hidden camera to film work colleagues showering or changing is a despicable offence, amounting to an invasion of their privacy

"I have no doubt that the offences are serious enough to merit a custodial sentence, but I am not able to pass one of the length that would ensure you receive the counselling and therapy I judge you would need."

Instead, Parsons was handed a three-year supervision order and told to complete a 120-hour sex offenders course. He will also be under nightly curfew for the next five months.

Referring to the indecent images, Judge Leonard added: "The images show depravity on your part, and also show a lack of human understanding for the suffering endured by these children, caused by your demand for the photos."

Prosecutor Peter Zinner had earlier told the court: "Three young women were filmed over the course of two days. They were not only shocked they were being filmed but distressed that this was done to them by a senior colleague who they worked with and trusted and liked."

John Armstrong, defending, said Parsons had lost his job and been unable to find more work within the financial industry since the incident.