RODNEY CAMPBELL OF LIMAVADY SHOCKS NORTHERN IRELAND WITH BRUTAL SEX ABUSE CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through Northern Ireland, Rodney Joseph Campbell, a resident of Sperrin Road in Limavady, has been publicly identified following his conviction for a series of heinous sexual and physical abuses against a young girl. The victim, who was only 15 years old at the time, chose to waive her right to anonymity, allowing her abuser's name to be revealed to the public.

The court proceedings revealed a harrowing account of the abuse inflicted by Campbell, who was 44 years old at the time of sentencing. The girl, described as a vulnerable individual who had been in the care system, became entangled in a relationship with Campbell’s son. However, this relationship was short-lived, as Campbell’s predatory behavior soon turned towards her. The court heard that Campbell began sexually abusing the girl, subjecting her to a series of brutal assaults that left lasting scars.

Among the most shocking details disclosed was an incident where Campbell forcibly submerged the girl’s head into a pan filled with cold cooking oil. The court also learned that he sexually assaulted her using a rolling pin and the handle of a hammer, acts that exemplify the extreme violence and cruelty he exhibited. The abuse extended beyond sexual violence, as Campbell physically assaulted the girl through punching, kicking, and even stubbing cigarettes out on her body. There were also reports of him strangling her, causing her to black out and lose consciousness during these episodes.

The court was informed that the victim managed to escape from Campbell’s control after a suicide attempt in 2009, which marked a turning point in her ordeal. The severity of her suffering was underscored by the judge, Recorder of Derry, Judge Philip Babington, who described the case as “shocking.” He emphasized that the victim was “totally under the control of the defendant and indeed lived in fear of him,” enduring regular abuse, humiliation, and physical violence. The judge further condemned Campbell’s treatment of the girl, stating that he had used her as his “own personal plaything.”

The case has ignited controversy and prompted calls for action from local political figures. Sinn Féin’s Maeve McLaughlin publicly called for an inquiry into child exploitation in Northern Ireland, criticizing the authorities for what she described as a failure to prevent such abuses and questioning the adequacy of existing powers to protect vulnerable children.

Helena Bracken, representing the Nexus Institute—a support organization for survivors of sexual abuse—described the case as one of the most severe she had encountered, highlighting the profound impact such trauma has on victims.

During the sentencing hearing, Campbell’s solicitor, Paddy McGurk, informed Judge Babington that the victim had instructed him to request the lifting of her anonymity order. Although she understood that the order was initially put in place to protect her, she now felt that she no longer required the protection, seeking to face the consequences of her ordeal publicly and move forward with her life.