Court told of fake degree spanking sessions
Karl Woodgett, 37, took two young Cameroonian women to hotels and filmed himself caning and spanking them under the pretence that he was conducting a "pain management" study, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Woodgett, who worked at the University of Bath at the time, initially paid the women with cash but later offered fake university qualifications, a UK Border Agency investigation discovered.
Woodgett previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false instruments, namely university degrees, and two counts of possession of articles for use in fraud, namely two degree certificate templates for Elsie Neh and Mbone Kemba.
Woodgett's ex-wife, Cameroonian Delphine Kah, 31, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false instruments.
The court heard Kah and Woodgett both forged bachelor and masters degrees for Kah and members of her family when he worked as a university registrar for the University of Surrey.
Judge David Ticehurst sentenced Woodgett, who lived in Frome, at the time but now lives in Ewell Minnis, Kent, to nine months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours of community service.
Kah, from London, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours of community service.
Prosecutor James Ward told the court Kah and Woodgett married in 2000, but their relationship broke down a year later. The couple remained good friends.
In 2005, Kah was working for Camden NHS Primary Care Trust and requested time off to undertake a degree, which was denied, the court heard.
Woodgett was working at Surrey University as a registrar in 2005, responsible for examinations and awarding students with their qualifications, Mr Ward said.
He also worked with Surrey University affiliates Roehampton University and Farnborough University.
Woodgett went on to forge certificates for Kah, her mother, step-father and sisters, the court heard.
Degree subjects ranged from Media Studies to International Services, Mr Ward said.
Woodgett and Kah made no financial gain from the enterprise, but emails revealed Kah was scouting for potential customers, the court heard.
Mr Ward said Woodgett and Kah were on the verge of starting a "mail order" business along the lines of a "fast-food takeaway".
The couple referred to "KK's Crooked Certificates" in emails, which laid out potential pricing plans, the court heard.
Woodgett proposed charging from £500 for a 2.2 bachelors degree to £1,000 for a Masters degree with distinction, Mr Ward said.
Later in 2007, Woodgett moved to a position at the University of Bath where, in March 2008, he met Elsie Neh.
Mr Ward said Woodgett introduced himself as "Dave" and told Ms Neh he was conducting a "pain management" study.
These activities did not form any charges as the acts were consensual, Mr Ward added.
"They were to satisfy his own sexual gratification," he said.
Woodgett was eventually arrested when staff at Camden NHS PCT intercepted Kah's emails and their plot was uncovered.
The UK Border Agency said in the course of its investigation, it discovered father-of-one Woodgett had offered Ms Neh and her friend Ms Kemba degrees in exchange for further spanking sessions.
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