Ex-councillor spared jail over sexual assault
SuppliedA former councillor who subjected a woman to a "terrifying" sexual assault has been given a suspended sentence.
Thom Campion pinned the woman on a bed, forcefully kissed her on the mouth as she tried to turn her head away and touched her breast without her consent at his house on Newcastle's Great Park Estate in March 2023.
He also dragged her to the floor by her hair and forced his fingers in her mouth.
The 28-year-old, who represented the Liberal Democrats on Newcastle City Council from 2021 before becoming an Independent and then stepping down in May's elections, was found guilty at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last month and on Friday given an 11-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.
Campion had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and claimed during his trial the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had consented to all activity between them.
Denial 'showed cowardice'
But district Judge Paul Currer described the incident as a "terrifying and completely unwanted" attack.
He said the former Castle ward councillor had "behaved selfishly" and "simply ignored" the woman telling him "no".
Paul Doney, prosecuting, read a victim impact statement in which the woman said she felt "violated" and said that Campion's not guilty plea "showed his cowardice, lack of remorse, and inability to take responsibility and accountability for the harm he has caused".
Neil Douglas, representing Campion, told the court that the defendant was of previous good character and could safely be managed in the community.
The judge noted Campion had no previous convictions and was otherwise of good character, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Campion will be required to do 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 10 rehabilitation days and pay prosecution costs of £650.
He will be subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim for two years and must sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
