‘Most wanted’ paedophile is tracked down
A SEX offender who was one of police’s most wanted paedophiles is finally behind bars after two years on the run.
Ian Campbell, 40, from Mountain Ash, was found after a Facebook appeal which led police more than 200 miles away to the seaside town of Brighton.
He was arrested on April 24 this year after he was traced to an old double-decker bus which had been converted into a homeless shelter.
Campbell was one of South Wales Police’s most wanted paedophiles after he disappeared when he was released by the courts on probation in June, 2017.
He had pleaded guilty to distributing indecent photographs and been sentenced to 32 months.
Through their investigative work, officers suspected he may be in the south-east of England and a Facebook appeal was launched.
Within hours police had a call from a member of the public in Brighton who recognised him. He was arrested the same day.
Campbell had been living under a false name, John Morgan, and he was caught in possession of a number of devices including two mobile phones, a tablet and a laptop.
It was a breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which banned him from using any devices which gave him access to the internet.
Further examination of his devices uncovered a number of indecent images of children under the age of 18.
Detective Inspector Rob Williams said: “He eluded us for a long time, having moved away from the area, and had been living under a false name.
“But we never give up investigating and we always find them in the end – I would like to thank the member of the public whose actions ensured that this compulsive sex offender has been returned to prison where he belongs.”
Ian Campbell was jailed at Merthyr Crown Court on July 29. He pleaded guilty to being unlawfully at large after being recalled to prison, failing to comply with notification requirements, possessing indecent images, and fraud offences.
He was sentenced to a total of three years and four months and has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.