Description
A sick predator approached young children playing in the street and offered them cash to bite and hit him and kick him in the groin before sexually assaulting them.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday how Gary Campbell withdrew 1,000 in cash in a premeditated plot to lure children as young as six into carrying out his vile fantasies.
The offences dated back to July 24 and 30 last year a court heard and involved four young children aged between six and nine.
Prosecuting, Trevor Parry-Jones said Campbell, of Dolton, had travelled down from his home in Devon to visit a friend in Warrington. After withdrawing the large sum of cash, the defendant headed to an area of Padgate on July 24, 2023.
CCTV footage recovered from Cheshire Police showed the defendant parking his car nearby to a subway.
He then walked two minutes to a suburban area, described by Mr Parry-Jones as somewhere that children would frequently play, that was nearby to a school and play area and loitered in the area before approaching two children under the age of ten.
Campbell asked the children for help in finding some money which he had already hidden and when the children found the money, he would then reward them with a 20 note.
When one of the children returned home and their mother found them to be carrying cash, she grew concerned and contacted the police.
A court heard how the 60-year-old deliberately targeted the two children again a few days later on Friday, July 28, approaching them on the street and asking them to kick him in the groin, bite and hit him in return for cash.
He then asked the children to urinate in a chocolate milk bottle which he put in his jacket.
Mr Parry-Jones added, He said he would set them a maths test and if they get it right, he would give them the money. The money was stuck in their waistbands.
Campbell took the money from their waistbands, looking at their genitals as he did before he proceeded to take indecent images of the children.
On a separate occasion on July 30, the defendant returned to the same area near to the subway and approached another pair of children, both aged under 10.
He used an alias name, Peter, and sexually assaulted both children, forcing the other child to watch the sexual acts as they took place. Campbell then paid each child more than 100 in cash each.
Cheshire Police officers when initially contacted on July 24 by one of the childrens parents in relation to the incident when Campbell first offered the two children money, had retraced the steps taken and scoured CCTV from the area which identified the defendant walking around the area each day from July 24 to 30.
AMPR CCTV also showed the defendant driving from Devon to Warrington.
The defendant was arrested on August 25 at his home in Devon and confirmed he had been in the Warrington area visiting his friend and helping to decorate his house, Mr Parry-Jones added.
The defendant was bailed before being arrested again on September 23, 2023. He was found in position of 27 indecent images on his mobile phone and his computer and other devices were taken by police.
He denied being in the Padgate area when questioned or talking to the children involved.
Appearing for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday (February 28) Campbell pleaded guilty to six counts of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, eight counts of sexually assaulting a child, four counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, one count of possession of indecent images of children, one count of taking an indecent image of a child, and two counts of causing a child to look at/watch images/videos of sexual activity
The victim impact statements of the parents of some of the children involved were read to the court and expressed the extent of the damage caused to the lives of the children targeted by Campbell.
A statement by one parent read by Mr Parry-Jones began, I want Gary Campbell to know that before my little boy met you, he was an outgoing child. Now he has no confidence at all.
I had to deal with social services in my home. I had to listen to all the horrendous things that had been done by a stranger.
If I could spend everyday holding him or hugging him I would. You have taken his childhood away from him and you had no right to do that.
I should not have to explain to a seven-year-old what a paedophile is.
A second statement from another parent echoed the harrowing effects the incident had on her son and her family.
She added: I was absolutely heartbroken when I found out of the incident.
I constantly think that something is going to trigger him at some point.
I am now unhealthily anxious when he goes out. I cannot shake the feeling that something is going to happen to him.
The last victim impact statement from a third parent began, It makes me sick that some one would do something so horrendous to my son. He has been traumatised by what has happened to him.
This whole ordeal has broken us as a family. We had only just started letting him out when this had happened.
Defending, Jeremy Rawson told the court his client has genuine regret and remorse following his offending and has been in a dark place for several years.
Mr Rawson explained how his client has blackouts and states he does not recall the events he is being sentenced for.
Honour judge Katherine Pierpoint addressed the defendant before sentencing.
She said: There were children playing in that area and you deliberately targeted them.
This was deliberate, pre-planned and predatory behaviour designed to entrap young children.
This is a prime example of grooming behaviour.
The police should be commended for their investigation into this matter.
I have considered with care the carefully prepared and emotional heartfelt statements of the mothers of these boys.
I hope you understand the widespread devastating effect you had had on these families and these boys.
The only person to blame here is you. These four boys have been brave and courageous speaking out and their families should be proud of them.
In my judgement you clearly have a sexual interest in children.
Judge Pierpoint served Campbell a 9-year immediate sentence for the offences with an extra five years on licence of which he will serve two thirds of before being considered for release on licence.
He will also be signed onto the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.
Following the sentencing, DC Danielle Taylor of Cheshire Police provided the following statement: This has been a complex and lengthy investigation which uncovered Campbell's horrific behaviour towards the most vulnerable members of society.
It became apparent throughout the investigation that Campbell was a devious sexual predator whose offending saw him prey on young boys, who he targeted whilst they were innocently playing outside.
Campbell failed to account for his actions on interview and has not shown any remorse throughout this investigation.
Thanks to the overwhelming evidence that we had against him, he has today received a custodial sentence.
All of the young victims have been so brave and should be commended for how they have dealt with the whole police investigation. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to their parents who have supported the investigation from the outset. I am also grateful to the CPS for their assistance with this case.
I am confident that this sentence passed today will show the public that Cheshire Police take all reports of sexual offending seriously and that we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
I hope Campbell uses his time in prison to reflect on the devastating effect that his actions have had."