EDWARD CAMPBELL TRIPLE CHILD KILLER FROM CLAPTON SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND ABUSE

In a chilling case that has spanned decades, Edward Campbell, a 77-year-old man from Clapton, East London, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl, as well as the murder of his own children. The case, which has shocked the community and drawn national attention, culminated in Campbell being sentenced to 13 years in prison for the sexual offenses.

Campbell’s dark history dates back to December 6, 1974, when he committed a series of brutal acts at his family home in Clapton. On that tragic day, he strangled his three children—Susan, aged 10, Ronald, aged 11, and Paul, aged 13—and left their 14-year-old brother Joel seriously injured. The details of this family tragedy have haunted the community for decades, and Campbell’s actions were initially believed to be the result of mental health issues, as he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, citing depression at the time.

Fast forward to November 2010, Campbell, then aged 77, faced a new wave of justice as he was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of multiple sexual offenses committed over a ten-year period from 1963 to 1973. The charges included rape, buggery, indecent assault, and gross indecency, all stemming from the abuse of a young girl who was just four years old when the assaults began. The victim, now in her fifties, bravely testified in court, recounting the horrors she endured during her childhood, which lasted until she was 14.

Kay Scudder, a reviewing lawyer and specialist in rape cases from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) London, expressed her gratitude to the victim for her courage in coming forward after so many years. She emphasized the gravity of the abuse, stating, “No-one looking at the facts of this case would fail to be horrified by the nature of this abuse.” Scudder also highlighted the importance of justice, noting that the victim had supported the prosecution despite the long delay since the abuse occurred.

During the trial, Campbell was found guilty of eight charges, including rape and buggery. The prosecution detailed how the sexual abuse escalated over a decade, beginning when the victim was just four years old and continuing until she was 14. The case also revealed that Campbell’s violent actions against his own children in 1974 were linked to underlying mental health issues, as a psychiatric report indicated he was depressed at the time of the killings.

Throughout the investigation, law enforcement worked closely with the CPS and the victim, who was given the option to testify behind screens but chose to do so openly in court, demonstrating remarkable bravery. The sentencing for Campbell’s sexual offenses is scheduled to take place at a later date, and the community awaits further justice for the victims of this tragic case.