A former Newcastle city councillor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman after luring her to his bedroom under the pretence of showing her a cute teddy bear. Thom Campion, 28, met the victim through the Only Fans website and invited her to his home on Warkworth Woods, Newcastle's Great Park estate, near Gosforth, in March 2023.
Assault details
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Campion pushed the victim onto a bed, pinned her down, and touched her breast without consent. He then dragged her to the floor by her hair and forced his fingers into her mouth while calling her derogatory sexual names. The victim repeatedly said 'no' but Campion continued.
Prosecutor Paul Doney stated: 'The defendant asked her to go upstairs as he wanted to show her a cute teddy bear. He proceeded to throw her on the bed and began kissing her. He was stronger than her and she was not able to get out of the situation.'
Defence rejected
Campion denied sexual assault, claiming the woman consented and that she willingly went upstairs to view an item of 'sexually explicit clothing' he had ordered online. He told the court: 'I invited her upstairs to view an item of explicit clothing... When we were in the bedroom we began to kiss very passionately.' He added that if she had asked him to stop, he would have.
However, District Judge Paul Currer rejected Campion's account, stating: 'She repeatedly told the defendant 'no' when with him in the bedroom. Having listened with care to all the evidence, I'm sure the defendant engaged in these sexual acts without her consent.'
Victim's testimony
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a video interview: 'Thom said he wanted me to go upstairs to look at a teddy. I went into the bedroom and he basically threw me onto the bed and got on top of me. He's a lot stronger than me. He started kissing me and he put my hand down my top and touched my breasts. I was trying to say 'I don't want to do this'. He dragged me from the bed by my hair. He started putting his fingers in my throat to try and get me to gag. He kept saying 'It'll be hot'. He said I was going to do as I was told. He knew it wasn't consensual.'
She did not report the assault immediately but decided to come forward after seeing Campion running a Liberal Democrat stall at Jesmond Market. She informed party officials, who contacted police.
Background and sentencing
Campion was elected to Newcastle City Council in 2021 as a Liberal Democrat, later sitting as an independent. He did not seek re-election in May. He also stood as a Parliamentary candidate for Cramlington and Killingworth in 2024 and for Blyth Valley in 2019 under the name Thom Chapman.
District Judge Currer released Campion on bail until his sentencing hearing next month, noting his previous good character but ordering a probation report. He told Campion: 'I'm not in a position to sentence you now. I need to know a lot more about you.'
