Fermanagh businessman refused bail after sending a sinister text

Charles Campbell (54), from Mantlin Road, Kesh, accepted the offences, which involved the installation of recording devices between 2018 and 2021.

He was remanded on bail at Dungannon Crown Court last month while pre-sentence reports were prepared, which include a condition of no contact with the child or her family.

However after a newspaper article appeared in which Campbell was asked to comment on his behaviour, he sent an angry text to the victim’s mother.

He was then arrested and brought before Omagh Magistrates Court, where a Detective Constable explained that on January 30, the child’s mother told police she had received a number of messages stating “hope you’re happy now you b*****d, but let me tell you this is not over. This is going to be a bad time and you’ll need a black coat a lot”.

A screenshot of the newspaper article was also sent, leaving the woman “fearful and anxious”, the court heard.

Objecting to bail, the officer said this raised concerns on reoffending; however, defence counsel stressed the woman was not a complainant in the case, and Campbell has accepted his guilt in relation to the charges.

Referring to the newspaper article, District Judge Bernie Kelly noted Campbell had disclosed he believes he will be given a suspended sentence.

The defence replied: “I pride myself on not reading the papers but I heard some talk of this ... It’s not lost on me that a bail condition should never be breached and I would never deviate from that.

“But the case is nearly concluded and it’s a tragedy that contact has happened at this late stage.”

He described Campbell as running “a very successful business and he does not have Legal Aid”.

Judge Kelly remarked: “He also mentioned that in the newspaper article and alluded to the weighty costs he has incurred.”

The defence said he was aware of this and said: “I do take issue with that [figure] because some of it isn’t right”.

He added: “There are costs associated with this and the defendant has dealt with all of that. He has never breached bail before. He got right to the end of the line. I couldn’t believe it when I heard there’d been a breach of bail.

“I was so shocked, given he has no record, is a completely successful businessman and has dealt with this case appropriately. He has signed the Sex Offender Register.

“It’s all over effectively with the exception of sentencing and the court can take it from me I have a pretty clear idea of how that will resolve and it won’t result in immediate prison.”

When Judge Kelly noted Campbell had told the newspaper what sentence he believed he would receive, the defence responded: “The wisdom of accused persons before sentencing never ceases to amaze me, and I’m quite happy to say that as the defendant’s counsel.”

The judge was heavily critical of the content in the messages, particularly remarking on the reference to a black coat which is “usually funeral-related, so I presume that is some sort of implied threat”.

She also referred to the article headline in which Campbell bemoaned the loss of business caused by his prosecution.

Urging bail to be granted, the defence added: “Whatever has transpired over newspaper articles, it belies the true position.

“This man resolved the case, has a clear record and never breached bail before.

“He has walked that particular tightrope with no difficulty. I don’t know what has happened in terms of contact, but he has spent a night in custody and I would like to think the court would release him pending sentence.”

However, throwing out the application, Judge Kelly told the defence: “I strongly recommend you read the article, because it shows and displays his entire attitude towards the charges and the child.

“The entire article is that he’s the victim and nobody else. He did nothing wrong. He has been put upon and he is the one suffering in this.”

Campbell was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing at Dungannon Crown Court sitting in Belfast on February 3.