In a shocking case of child abuse that has stunned the Wembley community, a married couple has been sentenced to a cumulative 36 years in prison. Patrick Dilley and Jane Campbell, residing on Chalkhill Road, Wembley, faced their sentencing on December 18, following a harrowing four-week trial at Harrow Crown Court.
The couple was found guilty of inflicting severe harm on a five-year-old child, exposing the child to a “toxic environment” of intense brutality. Dilley, 34, received an 18-year prison term with an additional five years on licence. He was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and causing or allowing serious injury to a child.
His spouse, Campbell, 33, received a similar sentence of 18 years, plus three years on licence, after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and sexual assault by penetration.
The distressing details of the case came to light on January 16, 2020, when the London Ambulance Service alerted the police about a child suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries. The child was immediately taken to the hospital for urgent care. Medical examinations revealed extensive bruising, including a significant injury across the abdomen and additional bruises and injuries on the child’s throat, as confirmed by Scotland Yard.
Following their arrest, Campbell and Dilley were initially interviewed and bailed. However, a thorough investigation ensued, involving expert medical witnesses, police, social services, and the Crown Prosecution Service. This collaborative effort led to the couple being charged with the abuse of the child, who was known to them.
During the trial, the jury was presented with the grim reality of the child’s injuries. Testimonies from paramedics, hospital consultants, medical experts, the child’s foster carer, and police officers painted a harrowing picture of the abuse.
Detective Inspector Jon Moseling from the North West Command Unit expressed his dismay at the case, stating, “These cases are never easy to deal with and almost impossible to understand. How anyone can subject a child to such brutality is beyond my understanding.” He commended the swift action taken to remove the child from the harmful environment and the coordinated efforts of all parties involved in bringing the abusers to justice.
The custodial sentences in this case are fully deserved,” DI Moseling added, acknowledging the hard work of officers and partners in ensuring that justice was served in this disturbing case.
