Latest news with #AlanTrevorCampbell
BreakingNews.ie
10-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
No legal basis to appeal paedophile GP sentence, PPS says
There is no legal basis to refer the sentence imposed on a GP who had more than 200 indecent images of children to the Court of Appeal, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said. Concern had been expressed by some politicians following the sentencing last month of Alan Trevor Campbell, 40, of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, Co Derry. Advertisement He pleaded guilty to 11 offences around possessing indecent images of children on dates between October 2014 and January 2022. He was sentenced to 75 hours of community service and was given a two-year probation order at Downpatrick Crown Court. The PPS had previously said it was considering if there was a legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal. But in a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson said it had been 'unable to identify any legal error' in the sentencing process in the case. Advertisement The spokesperson said: 'The PPS recognises that there is rightly public concern when cases involving indecent images of children come before the courts, particularly where the defendant is in a position of trust. 'The courts also recognise that the abuse of young and vulnerable children in the production of indecent images is abhorrent. 'Those who access such material perpetuate the market for this abuse and are guilty by association with those who originally carried out despicable acts in creating the images in the first place.' The spokesperson said the PPS had taken into consideration the judge's sentencing remarks and sentencing guidelines in the Campbell case. Advertisement The statement added: 'While there is understandable condemnation of anyone caught with any amount of indecent images, the independent judiciary have set clear guidelines that have to be followed when sentencing all offenders to ensure a consistency in approach. 'Having carefully considered the detailed sentencing remarks prepared by the judge, we have been unable to identify any legal error and do not consider that this is a case which could be successfully referred to the Court of Appeal on the basis that the sentence was unduly lenient. 'Therefore, there is no legal basis for the PPS to refer it for consideration.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Alan Trevor Clarke: Sentence for paedophile GP will not be appealed
There is "no legal basis" to refer the sentence imposed on a GP who had more than 200 indecent images of children to the Court of Appeal, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has Trevor Campbell, of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, County Londonderry, was given 75 hours of community service and a two-year probation order last his sentencing, politicians called for it to be reviewed saying it was "unduly lenient" and "appalling".However, the PPS has confirmed that after considering the case, they have been "unable to identify any legal error" in the sentencing. In a statement, the PPS said it has "carefully considered the sentence imposed in the case of Alan Trevor Campbell, taking into consideration the judge's sentencing remarks and sentencing guidelines, to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer it to the Court of Appeal"."Following this process it has been determined that there is no legal basis to refer the sentence imposed to the Court of Appeal."It went on to say that "the custody threshold is passed where a person is in possession of large amounts of material in Class A or has distributed a small amount of such material". "A community-based penalty is generally considered appropriate where the amount of material is small, and the defendant has no previous convictions."The PPS highlighted that the "independent judiciary have set clear guidelines that have to be followed when sentencing all offenders to ensure a consistency in approach". Arrested in 2022 Campbell had been working as a GP at a medical practice in County Down when he was arrested in January pleaded guilty to 11 charges relating to possessing and making indecent images and videos of charges related to dates between October 2014 and January photographs and videos found on six of Campbell's devices were classed as category A, B and C - with A the most serious, denoting images involving sexual activity or sadism. A PPS spokesperson said that it "recognises that there is rightly public concern when cases involving indecent images of children come before the courts, particularly where the defendant is in a position of trust"."The courts also recognise that the abuse of young and vulnerable children in the production of indecent images is abhorrent."Those who access such material perpetuate the market for this abuse and are guilty by association with those who originally carried out despicable acts in creating the images in the first place." If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Call for review of practices where GP with child abuse images worked
A child protection expert has said he was "shocked" by the sentence given to a GP convicted of having more than 200 indecent images of children - and called for a safeguarding review to be undertaken at his former Trevor Campbell, of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, County Londonderry, was sentenced on Tuesday to 75 hours of community service and given a two-year probation Gamble, chief executive of the INEQE Safeguarding Group, said that Campbell was "operating in a position of trust" and he breached that office of the Lady Chief Justice said it would not appropriate to comment on an individual case. The office added that the sentencing framework, set in legislation by the Department of Justice, includes the maximum sentencing for a particular crime and sets out a" range of circumstances which a judge must consider before imposing a sentence". Campbell had been working as a GP at a medical practice in Northern Ireland when he was arrested in January was suspended from the Northern Ireland Primary Medical Performers List in August 2024 and from the General Medical Council in September date of his initial registration was charges relate to dates between October 2014 and January pleaded guilty to 11 charges relating to possessing and making indecent images and videos of on BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Gamble said there should be "a significant safeguarding review" of any practices where Campbell worked "to identify and engage with every parent and every child" with whom he had contact. 'It's abhorrent' The photographs and videos found on six of Campbell's devices were classed as category A, B and C - with A the most serious, denoting images involving sexual activity or said he was "disappointed" with the sentencing said category A images and videos involved "children being exploited, being hurt and harmed in the most unbelievable way". "If I were to go into the true detail no one would eat their breakfast today and no one would eat their breakfast for the next year."It's abhorrent." Call for sentence review In a statement, the Office of the Lady Chief Justice said the sentencing framework was set in law by the Department of Justice."This includes the maximum sentencing which a particular crime attracts but also sets out a range of circumstances which a judge must consider before imposing a sentence including which court tier the offence is prosecuted in," the statement said."The Director of Public Prosecutions may refer the matter to the Court of Appeal if he considers the sentencing to be too lenient and the offences fall within the category prescribed in legislation taken forward by the Department of Justice".Mr Gamble said the justice minister should review the law and write to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to encourage them to review Campbell's sentence. The judge also imposed a five year Sexual offences Prevention Order and told Campbell that he will have to remain on the police sex offenders register for five his sentencing, the Department of Health said: "The department will continue to act in the public interest and to protect members of the public."Glendermott Church of Ireland in Altnagelvin, County Londonderry, also confirmed Campbell is no longer a trustee of the church.
Sunday World
24-06-2025
- Sunday World
Paedo GP who admitted to having child abuse images walks free from court
'perverted pleasure' | Despite Alan Trevor Campbell's claims that he had 'no sexual interest in children,' the terms of his internet searches give lie to those claims. Paedophile GP Alan Trevor Campbell leaves court Ordering Alan Trevor Campbell to complete two years on probation along with 75 hours of community service, Judge Geoffrey Miller KC warned the 40-year-old to be 'under no illusion' what will happen if he fails to comply or commits any further offending. Any breach, declared the Downpatrick Crown Court judge, 'will leave the court with no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence' of up to nine months. At an earlier hearing Campbell, from Silverbrook Park, Newbuildings, entered guilty pleas to 11 charges relating to the possessing and making of indecent images of children on dates between 17 October 2014 and 13 January 2022. The particulars of the offences disclose that Campbell, who qualified as a GP in 2014 and who at one time as a trustee of Glendermott Church of Ireland Church, had images and videos in categories A, B and C. During his sentencing remarks today, Judge Miller reminded the court that according to legal guidelines, images at level A depict children involved in penetrative sexual acts including rape or in circumstances involving sadomasochism or bestiality, B relates to non-penetrative sexual acts while C covers any material not deemed to be in categories A or B. Paedophile GP Alan Trevor Campbell leaves court News in 90 Seconds - June 24th In Campbell's case, the judge outlined how officers from the PSNI Child Internet Protection Team attended the defendant's former home in North Down where, acting under a search warrant, they seized six devices. Arrested under suspicion of making and possessing indecent images of children, Campbell 'gave no comment responses to all questions' put to him during police interviews. The judge lamented how that stance, taken in circumstances where Campbell 'was fully aware of what he had done,' compelled an already overstretched, specialised police department to examine, 'not one, not two, not three, but six electronic devices.' That examination uncovered a total of 211 indecent images and videos, including 50 assessed at Level A, 56 at level B and the rest were classed at level C. When Campbell was re-interviewed, he 'admitted being responsible for the images' and Judge Miller told the court that when a Probation officer spoke to Campbell when compiling the pre-sentence report (PSR), he admitted searching the web for the images. Despite Campbell's claims that he had 'no sexual interest in children,' the terms of his internet searches give lie to those claims. Judge Miller said there were aggravating features attached to the offending, including the length of time over which the offences were committed and that fact that Campbell had been working as a GP until he was arrested. The court heard that while the investigation was ongoing, Campbell was allowed to keep working as a doctor, having telephone consultations with adult patients. That came to an end when he was charged to court last September and Judge Miller told the court Campbell 'fully accepts that his employment will be completely terminated' after today. Read more A perusal of the GMC website discloses 'this person has been suspended from the Medical Register and may not practise as a doctor in the UK.' In addition to losing his career, the court heard that Campbell has also 'lost his marriage' and the case will likely have an impact on any contact he has with his child. As regards Campbell's offences, Judge Miller highlighted that he is faced with having to deal with similar cases every week but the 211 images he had is 'relatively small' when many of those other cases involve hundreds or thousands of images. Repeating guidance and 'making no apology for that,' the judge emphasised that that offenders who possess, download and distribute indecent images of children 'can properly be said to contribute to the pain, suffering and discomfort' experienced by victims of child abuse. Their trauma, said Judge Miller, is only added to knowing that offenders like Campbell 'receive perverted pleasure' from looking at images and recording of their ordeals. 'For every photograph it is trite to say there is an abused child,' he told the court, quoting from Court of Appeal guidance, 'For many of the persons who appear before the court they seem to self-excuse on the basis that the abuse has already taken place, the photograph has been taken and, therefore, it is an event passed. 'This, of course, is distorted thinking. By virtue of involvement in this trade it ensures that abuse will continue, and such materials exist because there is a market for it. That is why severe and deterrent sentences are required in this area for these offences.' Addressing Campbell directly, Judge Miller told him given his pleas, the relatively small number of images and his clear record, he would impose the combination order but with the clear warning that any breach will see him jailed. In addition, the judge also imposed a five year Sexual offences Prevention Order and told Campbell that he will have to remain on the police sex offenders register for five years.
Sunday World
12-05-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Paedo doctor kept working with patients after arrest for downloading child porn
Disgraced doctor downloaded depraved images and videos of child rape Paedophile doctor Alan Trevor Campbell also remains on the board of trustees at Glendermott Church of Ireland in Altnagelvin. The investigation into him began three years ago, with PSNI cyber crime officer seizing devices from his home. Campbell, a registered GP since 2014, was working at a family practice in north Down when police 'put his door up the hallway' in January 2022. The 40-year-old predator then moved to Newbuildings on the outskirts of Derry, taking a job at Dunamanagh Medical Practice in Donemana, where he worked until he was charged in August last year. The General Medical Council (GMC) imposed an interim suspension the following month. A reference to the disgraced doctor on the GMC website says: 'This person has been suspended from the Medical Register and may not practise as a doctor in the UK.' Following Campbell's guilty pleas last Thursday to possessing child sex images, a reporter contacted Dunamanagh Medical Practice for comment. A manager at the surgery confirmed the pervert doctor had been working there, but refused to go any further, saying: 'I am sorry, but I'm not going to say anything else.' Paedophile GP Alan Trevor Campbell at his surgery The Department of Health, which has overall control of GP surgeries, confirmed Campbell had been 'suspended from the primary medical services performers list as a precautionary measure in August 2024 following disclosure from the PSNI that he was charged with serious criminal offences'. It said: 'The department became aware on May 8, 2025, that Dr Campbell pleaded guilty to these offences. The department will continue to act in the public interest and to protect members of the public. 'We understand that news of this nature is deeply distressing. Patients who are affected by this news or have concerns can speak in confidence to their GP, or contact dedicated support services.' Campbell, with an address on Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, entered guilty pleas to 11 charges relating to the possessing and making of indecent images of children on dates between 2014 and 2022. These included category A material, the most serious. Paedophile GP Alan Trevor Campbell leaves court News in 90 seconds - 12th May 2025 Given the dates on the indictment, Campbell possessed and downloaded indecent images throughout almost the entirety of his medical career. A defence lawyer said apart from a pre-sentence report from the probation board, his client would not be obtaining any other type of report ahead of the plea and sentence. Judge Geoffrey Miller KC ordered Campbell to sign the sex offenders register in the meantime. He told the pervert that if he had not heard from the probation service within two weeks, he should to contact his legal representatives to arrange an interview . The judge continued: 'Failure to attend without good reason means that I will sentence in the absence of a report. You can rest assured that will not be in your best interests. These are very serious offences. All options will be open to the court.' Campbell was freed on bail until June 24.
