SARAH CAMPBELL FROM BOOTLE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 15-YEAR-OLD BOY

In June 2022, Sarah Campbell, a woman from Bootle, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving a 15-year-old boy. The court heard that Campbell, aged 40, engaged in a prolonged pattern of sexual abuse against the young victim, which spanned several months and included acts committed in public and private settings.

Campbell's disturbing behavior began in 2016, when she started grooming the boy and eventually abusing him. She would supply him with illegal substances such as cocaine and cannabis, encouraging him to use these drugs together as part of her manipulative efforts to control and exploit him. Her goal was to turn the boy into her personal 'sexual plaything,' a term used during the court proceedings to describe her predatory intentions.

The court was informed that the abuse took place in various locations, including an open golf course and inside her home. In one particularly troubling incident, Campbell engaged in sexual activity with the boy under a blanket while others were sleeping nearby, demonstrating her blatant disregard for the risk of being caught. Prosecutor Martine Snowdon detailed how Campbell would manipulate the boy into sneaking into her house at unusual hours and hiding from others to conceal their illicit encounters.

As the abuse continued, Campbell's actions escalated, culminating in her becoming pregnant with the victim's child. Despite her efforts to keep their relationship secret, the boy eventually found the courage to disclose the abuse to an adult. However, Campbell responded with denial and even falsely accused the boy of raping her, which led to a police investigation and further trauma for the young victim.

During the trial, it was revealed that Campbell was determined to keep her secret, going so far as to get pregnant with the child she believed was his. She faced multiple charges related to sexual offenses against the boy, including the creation of a child through her abuse.

Judge Ian Harris addressed the court, stating that Campbell's actions had robbed the boy of a significant part of his childhood and caused lasting harm. Campbell, who resides on Longfellow Street in Bootle, showed visible distress during the sentencing, standing motionless with her head bowed and her hands pressed against the dock. After a few minutes, she sat down, placing her head in her hands for the remainder of the hearing.

In the public gallery, a family member of Campbell urged her to 'hold your head up high,' despite her distraught appearance. The court's decision reflects the severity of her crimes and the profound impact on her young victim, emphasizing the importance of justice in cases of sexual abuse involving minors.