ROBERT CAMPBELL SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE IN HAVANT

A man by the name of Robert Campbell has been convicted and sentenced to a substantial prison term following his involvement in multiple instances of sexual abuse against two young girls in Havant. The heinous offenses, which took place over a period spanning from 2013 to 2015, involved acts of rape as well as other forms of sexual assault committed against the victims while they were under the age of 16.

The two women, who are now adults, chose to come forward and speak out about the abuse in April 2021. Their courageous decision to share their painful experiences prompted law enforcement authorities to initiate a formal investigation into the allegations. As a result of their testimony and supporting evidence, police took swift action by arresting Robert Campbell on April 30 of that year.

During the legal proceedings, Campbell faced multiple serious charges, including two counts of raping a girl under the age of 16, as well as two counts of assaulting a girl under 16 by touching. Additionally, he was charged with three counts of causing or inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity, highlighting the severity of the accusations against him. Despite Campbell's denial of all charges, a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found him guilty on all seven counts following a trial that began on January 16. The verdict was delivered on January 23, marking a significant moment of justice for the victims.

On Wednesday, May 10, Campbell appeared once again at Portsmouth Crown Court to receive his sentencing. The court judged the crimes to be exceptionally grave, leading to his imprisonment for a term of 17 years. Moreover, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Campbell, ensuring that he would be subject to ongoing restrictions and monitoring concerning his conduct. He was also ordered to comply with lifelong notification requirements as a registered sex offender, further highlighting the community’s need to protect vulnerable individuals from potential future harm.

The police investigation was led by Detective Constable Leanne Boyd, who praised the bravery of the victims. She stated, “These two brave women should be commended for their courage in disclosing the most awful events of their childhood, and supporting this investigation to ensure Campbell could not hurt anyone again. Justice has been served on Campbell. The abuse he inflicted on the two survivors when they were so young is absolutely horrific. He will now spend a lengthy period of time in jail, and I hope this case gives other survivors the confidence that if they have been abused, they will be heard and believed and we will do all we can to protect them and give them justice.”

Authorities emphasized that support is available for individuals affected by child sexual abuse. They encourage anyone who has experienced such trauma to contact police through 101 or reach out to support services in confidence. A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary reiterated the importance of providing help and reassurance, stating, “We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.”