A father has shared his horror after discovering that the man who supervised him while he bathed his children and changed their nappies has been convicted as a paedophile. Mark Campbell, 52, worked as a Family Time Supervisor within children's services at North Tyneside Council and was jailed for 18 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday.
Campbell was snared by police after sending sexual messages to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover operative. The court heard he also possessed indecent images of children aged between six months and 10 years old, including seven category A images, the most serious, as well as one category B and five category C images.
Father's shock and anger
The father, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he felt sick to his stomach upon learning the news. Campbell had supervised his family time multiple times a week for months. The dad received a letter from the council on Thursday informing him of Campbell's conviction.
“I felt sick to my gut. He's been around my kids, he's supervised family time. He's literally been in the room when the kids have been in the bath,” the father said. He added that Campbell was in a position of trust and would sit in people's houses around their children and families.
The letter, seen by ChronicleLive, states: “First, we want to say how sorry we are that many families found out about this through news reports rather than hearing from us directly. We understand that this news may have come as a shock and may have caused worry and upset. We would like to offer our sincere apologies.”
The father criticised the council's response, saying no social worker mentioned Campbell's arrest or charges. “They have a duty of care, they're supposed to be safeguarding children! They haven't mentioned to the families that he's been charged. They've just sent a heartless letter that doesn't explain anything,” he said.
Council's response
Rebecca Wall, Director of Children's Services at North Tyneside Council, apologised for the distress caused. “We know that parents place immense trust in us, and we recognise how unsettling this situation will be for many. Our ambition is always to be as open and transparent as possible. However, we have to work with the legal and court processes and while these processes are ongoing there are legal limitations on what can be shared,” she said.
She added that as soon as the council became aware of the outcome, they took immediate steps to contact families and provide reassurance and support. Campbell, a veteran suffering from PTSD, was suspended by the council once allegations came to light and has since been dismissed.
The father has contacted Emma Foody, MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, about the matter. Ms Foody said she was extremely concerned by the case and has contacted the council to seek assurances on safeguarding processes.
Court details
ChronicleLive reported how Campbell asked the decoy profile if she liked older men and began chatting on Snapchat. He admitted asking for a picture of her private parts and sending an image of his penis. The court heard category A images included one of three children, one only months old, engaging in sexual activity, and an image of a child in distress with tape across her mouth.
Campbell, of Telford Close, Backworth, North Tyneside, admitted attempting to incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
Jane Foley, defending, said Campbell was a lonely individual suffering from mental health difficulties and PTSD following his time in the Army. He left the armed forces in 1993 and has been receiving counselling from a veterans charity. Recorder Rose sentenced Campbell to 18 months in prison, along with a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements for 10 years.
