COLIN CAMPBELL SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR 1981 MURDER OF TEENAGE GIRL IN WINDSOR AND ACTON

In a significant development in cold case justice, Colin Campbell has been formally sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl in Windsor in 1981. The victim, Claire Woolterton, was discovered deceased along the banks of the River Thames in Windsor, her body found completely nude. The circumstances of her death were particularly heinous, as she had been subjected to sexual assault and her throat had been slashed, leaving her family and community devastated for over three decades.

Campbell, who is currently 66 years old, was identified as the perpetrator through advances in DNA analysis that played a crucial role in solving the case after so many years. The evidence was obtained from adhesive tapes taken from Miss Woolterton’s body, which contained Campbell’s DNA profile. Despite his inability to recall the events of that night or whether he had ever met Claire Woolterton, the forensic evidence was compelling enough to secure a conviction.

The trial took place at Reading Crown Court, where a jury composed of four men and eight women deliberated for several days before reaching a majority verdict of guilty. Campbell was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 24 years to be served concurrently with his existing sentence for other crimes. The court’s decision marked a long-awaited moment of justice for the Woolterton family, who had endured decades of uncertainty and grief.

At the time of the murder, Campbell was residing in Acton, West London, and was known to have been a travelling salesman. His connection to the Windsor area was not explicitly detailed, but the case’s reopening in 2011 was driven by the technological advancements in forensic science. The police had previously made no arrests or charges related to Miss Woolterton’s death during the initial investigation.

In a heartfelt statement, Terry Pearce, the stepfather of Claire Woolterton, described her as a “lovely girl” who was “very precious” to her family. Pearce expressed the pain and frustration that persisted over the years, stating, “This feels as raw as it did 32 years ago. Claire was a hard-working girl, who was very kind and would always help people. She’d speak to anybody who needed help and did whatever she could for them.” He added, “Claire’s murder had a shocking and distressing permanent effect on our lives. We have been emotionally scarred for life and have a very cynical outlook to life now.”

He recounted how Claire had gone out to meet friends and never returned, leaving her family with the heartbreaking reality of never having the chance to say goodbye. Pearce reflected on the terror and suffering Claire endured at the hands of her attacker, emphasizing the lasting trauma inflicted upon her loved ones. “What must have been going through her mind? This will haunt us forever,” he lamented. Pearce concluded by condemning Campbell’s actions, stating, “Colin Campbell’s evil and terrible act devastated our lives and left us wondering who was responsible for over 30 years.”

It was revealed that during the original investigation, no charges were brought against Campbell, and the case went cold until it was reopened in 2011. The breakthrough came when forensic science allowed investigators to link Campbell’s DNA to evidence from the crime scene. When questioned about how his DNA ended up on Miss Woolterton’s body, Campbell was unable to provide an explanation.

In addition to the Windsor case, Campbell was serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of Deirdre Sainsbury from Greenham, whom he murdered in December 1984. Sainsbury, aged 29, was hitchhiking on the South Circular Road in Roehampton when she was picked up by Campbell. Her mutilated body was discovered near Denham Golf Course the following morning. Campbell was convicted of her murder in 1985, but his conviction was later reduced to manslaughter on appeal in 1999, after he successfully argued that his epilepsy had contributed to his frenzied attack.

By 2011, Campbell’s status had been downgraded to a Category D prisoner, allowing him limited release into the community on license for five days each month. However, this status was revoked following his arrest in connection with Miss Woolterton’s murder. The families of both victims expressed their relief and hope that justice had finally been served. The family of Deirdre Sainsbury stated, “We all still think of Deirdre every day and this trial has brought a lot of the emotions back for us, which were felt when Campbell was tried for his crime all those years ago. Our family would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the relatives of Claire Woolterton and we are pleased their long wait for justice is finally over.”

Investigating officer Pete Beirne, who led the reopened case, remarked, “What we’ve managed to achieve today obviously won’t bring Claire back, but hopefully it’s a small comfort to her family that Campbell has been in custody since 1984.”

High Court Judge Mr. Justice Spencer emphasized the severity of Campbell’s crimes, warning that he was “unlikely” ever to be released from prison after the life sentence was imposed. The court’s decision underscores the enduring importance of justice for victims and their families, even after many years have passed.