Calls for sentence given to paedophile GP to be reviewed

Alan Trevor Campbell had photographs and videos on six devices

Politicians are calling for reviews to be carried out in the wake of the sentence given to a GP convicted of having more than 200 indecent images of children.

Alan Trevor Campbell, of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, County Londonderry, was sentenced on Tuesday to 75 hours of community service and given a two-year probation order.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) spokesperson said the authority was considering if there is a legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

Dunamanagh Medical Practice, where Campbell had been working while under investigation, said he had no face-to-face interactions with patients and "no contact with any persons under the age of 18" while working there.

In a statement, the Department of Health confirmed that since the time of his arrest in January 2022, Dr Campbell's medical practice "has been restricted by conditions placed on him" in order to "protect the public and ensure patient safety".

'Appalling'

Ulster Unionist assembly member Doug Beattie said he had concerns about the sentencing of Campbell and described it as "appalling".

He said it was "just one in a line of sentences which I have real concern about being unduly lenient, particularly those sentences which are involving violence against children, or women and girls".

He added that Campbell "could have benefitted from time behind bars and went through some form of rehabilitation" while a custodial sentence could also act as "a deterrent".

Sinn Féin assembly member Deirdre Hargey welcomed that the PPS is considering grounds to appeal the sentence.

She said she has written to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt asking if a safeguarding review will be carried out.

"It is important that survivors and the public have confidence in our justice system, knowing that offenders will be held to account," Hargey said.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said officials were "undertaking a scoping exercise into a potential review of sentences and sentencing frameworks for serious sexual offences".

"Sentencing within the current legislative framework in individual cases is a matter for the independent judiciary," she added.

The office of the Lady Chief Justice said it would not be appropriate to comment on an individual case.

The office added that the sentencing framework, set in legislation by the Department of Justice, includes the maximum sentencing for a particular crime and sets out a "range of circumstances which a judge must consider before imposing a sentence".

Arrested in 2022

Campbell had been working as a GP at a medical practice in Northern Ireland when he was arrested in January 2022.

He was suspended from the Northern Ireland Primary Medical Performers List in August 2024 and from the General Medical Council (GMC) in September 2024.

The date of his initial registration was 2014.

The charges relate to dates between October 2014 and January 2022.

Campbell pleaded guilty to 11 charges relating to possessing and making indecent images and videos of children.

A spokesperson for the GMC said: "We are aware of Dr Alan Trevor Campbell's conviction. Dr Campbell remains interim suspended pending the conclusion of a GMC investigation".

'It's abhorrent'

Jim Gamble says he is shocked by the sentence

The photographs and videos found on six of Campbell's devices were classed as category A, B and C - with A the most serious, denoting images involving sexual activity or sadism.

Jim Gamble, chief executive of the INEQE Safeguarding Group, told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme there should be "a significant safeguarding review" of any practices where Campbell worked "to identify and engage with every parent and every child" with whom he had contact.

He said category A images and videos involved "children being exploited, being hurt and harmed in the most unbelievable way".

"If I were to go into the true detail no one would eat their breakfast today and no one would eat their breakfast for the next year.

"It's abhorrent."

A Public Prosecution Service spokesperson said: "The prosecution team, including counsel, are carefully considering the sentences imposed in this case to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer them to the Court of Appeal."

The judge also imposed a five year Sexual offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and told Campbell that he will have to remain on the police sex offenders register for five years.

Campbell's medical practice was 'restricted'

In a statement, Dunamanagh Medical Practice said that throughout Campbell's employment, it "adhered strictly to the guidance and restrictions issued by the General Medical Council (GMC) and DoH (Strategic Planning and Performance Group)".

"As a practice, we are shocked that a former member of staff has been convicted of these offences," it said.

"Our thoughts are with anyone affected by this news and if any of our patients have concerns they can speak in confidence to their GP.

"We would also like to clarify that Dr Kyle Campbell, who continues to work at the Practice in a full clinical capacity, has no family connection to Dr Alan Trevor Campbell."

The Department of Health (DOH) said it will "continue to act in the public interest and to protect members of the public".

It confirmed that since the time of his arrest in January 2022, Dr Campbell's medical practice "has been restricted by conditions placed on him by both the Strategic Planning and Performance Group of the DOH and the General Medical Council, in order to protect the public and ensure patient safety".

It added that Campbell "fully complied with these conditions".

It said Campbell has been unable to practise medicine since he was suspended from the NI Primary Medical Performers List. It noted that in September 2024, the General Medical Council also suspended Campbell.

"In Northern Ireland, all GP practices are required to submit an annual declaration confirming that individual healthcare professionals can demonstrate that they comply with the national child protection guidance.

The statement went on to say that the PSNI confirmed that no devices belonging to the Health Service were used for Campbell's offending.

It added that patients who have concerns can speak in confidence to their GP, or contact dedicated support services.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.