A man from Havant has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after abusing two women when they were under 16-years-old. The woman, now adults, have spoken out about the offences and an investigation was launched.

The offender, 62-year-old Robert Campbell, was arrested on April 30 2021 when the abuse was reported. Campbell, formerly of St Clares Avenue in Havant, was charged with two counts of raping a girl under the age of 16, two counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 16 by touching, and three counts of causing or inciting a girl under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Campbell denied the offences but was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court this year (January 23) after a trial which began the week prior (January 16). He was sentenced this week (May 10) to 17 years in prison.

Campbell, who had abused the then-girls “on a number of occasions”, was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and ordered to comply with Sexual Offender Register notification requirements indefinitely. DC Leanne Boyd, who led the investigation, said: “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.”

If you wish to discuss your experiences –  please contact Charles Derham on 02393552153 or by email on charles@remedylaw.co.uk