GEORGE CAMPBELL, SCOTTISH SEX OFFENDER, SENTENCED IN FORFAR AFTER FLEEING TO SPAIN

In January 2009, a Scottish sex offender named George Campbell was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he was captured following his flight to Spain. Campbell, who was 62 years old and listed as residing at Peterhead Prison, had vanished after serving four years for sexual assaults committed on two boys and their sister, incidents which began in 1965. The former oil rig worker admitted his crimes at the High Court in 1998.

During a hearing at Forfar Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Campbell, originally from Milton of Campsie near Glasgow, was released from prison in May 2002. He had failed to comply with notification requirements and did not inform police of his change of address, as mandated by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The offences related to Campbell's failure to notify authorities about his whereabouts occurred between December 14, 2004, and March 20 of the previous year, at 1 Westside Cottage in Edzell. Fiscal depute Nicola Gillespie stated, “Information was received by Tayside Police that the accused had removed himself from his address and had gone to live in Spain. He remained at liberty in Spain.”

She continued, “On April 14 last year, a further report was submitted to the procurator fiscal. A European arrest warrant was sought and granted on August 8 last year, and was forwarded to the Spanish authorities for execution.”

On September 10, 2008, Tayside Police officers attended in Spain, where Campbell was detained and subsequently flown back to the United Kingdom. His solicitor, John MacRitchie, explained that his client initially moved to Benidorm to care for his elderly, infirm father, who had sustained brain damage from an industrial accident and required assistance for daily activities.

Mr. MacRitchie added, “His father, some years before, had been in an industrial accident and sustained brain damage. He couldn’t walk and was so infirm he required to be dressed and showered. He saw his place as being with his father. By the time his father died, Campbell's own health worsened significantly.”

Campbell, who also suffered from injuries sustained in a road accident in Spain—including broken ribs, punctured lungs, and partial paralysis—also has medical issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. Sheriff Kevin Veal commented on the situation, saying Campbell was “the author of his own misfortune,” and ordered that the 18-month sentence be served following the completion of his current incarceration.