MARK CAMPBELL GUILTY OF MURDER AND ABUSE IN GLENROTHES AND EDINBURGH

A man with a long history of violence and domestic abuse, Mark Robert Campbell, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes, including murder, rape, assault, and domestic abuse. The sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lady Poole delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the severity of Campbell’s actions and the impact on his victims.

Lady Poole stated that on 13 June 2023, Campbell was found guilty by a jury of 14 charges, which encompassed murder, rape, assault, and domestic abuse. She highlighted that Campbell’s pattern of violence against women began during his teenage years, with a total of seven victims, all women with whom he had some form of relationship. Some of these women were mothers of his children, and they deserved love, respect, and kindness, but instead endured relentless abuse and suffering.

The court detailed the numerous ways Campbell assaulted his victims, including hitting, headbutting, strangling, kicking, and spitting on them. He also used objects such as scissors, an iron, a belt, a vacuum cleaner, and knives as weapons during these attacks. Many victims sustained severe injuries, some life-threatening, and others left with permanent scars. The court noted that some victims found it difficult to escape his grasp; one even moved abroad with her new-born to escape his violence, arriving in a country where she did not speak the language and had no support network.

In addition to physical abuse, Campbell was also convicted of sexual offenses, including raping three women. The jury found that two of these women were raped on multiple occasions over a span of approximately six years. The escalation of his abusive behavior culminated in the tragic murder of his then-partner in 2021, when Campbell was 35 years old. During their eleven-month relationship, she was subjected to shocking levels of abuse, including cruel messages and even footage of her being abused.

In August 2021, Campbell’s victim was admitted to hospital with a head injury. He manipulated her into discharging herself from medical care and took her to an industrial estate behind a garage. The following morning, her body was discovered in his car, covered with injuries. The post-mortem report documented over 75 injuries, with at least 42 being fresh, indicating a brutal attack. Wounds on her head matched the shape of a tyre wrench found in Campbell’s vehicle. The cause of death was determined to be a blow to the head resulting in brain injury. The scene was bloodstained, with blood also found on the garage wall. Campbell’s attempts to shift blame were rejected by the jury, and it was established that the murder was aggravated by the fact that he was on bail at the time and that the victim was his partner.

Lady Poole emphasized that all seven victims suffered harm, with some managing to escape and rebuild their lives, demonstrating remarkable courage in giving evidence. The final victim’s family was left devastated, mourning the loss of a grandmother and a loved one who had been an integral part of their lives before Campbell’s violence. Victim impact statements conveyed the trauma, grief, and ongoing suffering caused by her death.

Campbell’s criminal record dates back to when he was 17, including violent offenses and those with domestic aggravations. The court considered reports on his troubled upbringing, struggles with alcohol and drugs, health issues, and some employment history. Despite mitigation arguments, Lady Poole underscored that society will not tolerate domestic abuse against women, and the sentences reflect the gravity of his crimes.

The court sentenced Campbell to life imprisonment for murder, with a fixed punishment part of 27 years, representing the period necessary for retribution and deterrence. He will be eligible for parole after serving this minimum term, with the Parole Board responsible for assessing his release based on public safety. For the other charges, a concurrent determinate sentence of 15 years was imposed. His sentence was backdated to 6 September 2021, when he was first remanded in custody.

Furthermore, due to his convictions for rape, Campbell is subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and his name has been added to the register of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups. The court also issued non-harassment orders against him for six victims, prohibiting any contact or approach, directly or indirectly, including via social media. The victim in charges 28 and 31, who is deceased, was excluded from such orders, as legal requirements dictate.