"It was a full-scale murder investigation and at its height there were up to 60 officers working on it," said Peter Beirne, a detective on the case in 1981 and now the principal investigator of Thames Valley Police's major crime review team. Colin Campbell sentenced to life for Claire Woolterton 1981 murder [3] It was also celebrated for being another successful case of DNA finally solving an infamous cold case, following the recent solving of the murder of Yolande Waddington in 1966 using DNA. During his trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury heard Campbell did not feature in the original investigation. [1], In 2013, it materialised that Campbell had in fact already murdered by the time he killed Sainsbury, when he was convicted of the 1981 murder of teenager Claire Woolterton, revealing he was a double killer and indicating that epilepsy was not the reason why he had murdered Sainsbury. 'It was a journey, sadly, that she did not complete.'. By 2011, Campbell was serving a life sentence in prison for the manslaughter of Miss Sainsbury, from Greenham, in December 1984. HERE: https://go.babbel.com/12m65-youtube-molliewestbrook-june-2021/default Business Enquiries ONLY: mollie.westbrook@btinternet.com I N S T A G R A M: @mollie_westbrook https://www.instagram.com/mollie_westbrook/ T W I T T E R: @MolWestbrook https://twitter.com/MolWestbrook SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/molliewestbrook?fan_landing=true20% of Patreon pledges are split between the DNA Doe project and Missing People UK every single month. [1] After he was arrested he confessed to killing her after he had made a sexual advancement on her but claimed he had killed her because he had suffered an epileptic fit. Colin Campbell, 66, was yesterday found guilty of killing 17-year-old Claire Woolterton in August 1981. Desperation led to the use of hypnosis and even clairvoyants until DNA came to the rescue. The court heard that Claire, who lived in Northolt, north west London, with her mother and her mothers partner, was last seen alive at around 10pm on August 27 1981, walking towards Hanwell after spending the evening in Ealing with the older married man she was seeing. Watch A Town & Country Murder - S3:E7 Claire Woolterton (2015) Online Claire Woolterton's naked body was found by the River Thames in Windsor. She had. 2023 BBC. London SE26 5NQ Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. TV Time - Killer in My Village S03E07 - Claire Woolterton (TVShow Time) "To my mind, as a layperson, it's difficult to understand how someone could not remember doing something so horrific. Ch Insp Turner contacted Miss Hoeoek's family in 2012 ahead of a fresh appeal and reinvestigation. ", Pete Beirne, the principal investigator when the case was reopened, said: "What we've managed to achieve today obviously won't bring Claire back, but hopefully it's a small comfort to [her family] that Campbell has been in custody since 1984.". Colin Campbell (left), already serving a life sentence for manslaughter, killed Claire Woolterton (right) in 1981, Deirdre Sainsbury (right) was found on a golf course in 1983 after being killed and mutilated by Campbell (right). 0000063329 00000 n A convicted killer has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years after being found guilty of murdering a 17-year-old girl more than 30 years ago. Colin Frederick Campbell, 66, formerly of Acton, was convicted of murdering Claire Woolterton, in Windsor, at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday and will serve a minimum of 24 years. Mr Boarland said he "always goes to where Linda was killed" when he visits the Roseland. Tel: +44(0) 20 8778 0514 See, for example: List of miscarriage of justice cases in the United Kingdom, Murders of Jacqueline Ansell-Lamb and Barbara Mayo, "The Queen v Colin Frederick Campbell: Sentencing remarks", "Claire Woolterton murder: DNA caught Colin Campbell", "Colin Campbell sentenced to life for Claire Woolterton 1981 murder", "Claire Woolterton 1981 murder: DNA led to Colin Campbell arrest", Sub-postmasters operating the Post Office Horizon computer system, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colin_Campbell_(murderer)&oldid=1131359214, December 1984 events in the United Kingdom, Court of Appeal (England and Wales) cases, People convicted of murder by England and Wales, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In 2015, Campbell and the Woolterton case were the subject of an episode of the, In 2021, Campbell and the Woolterton case were the subject of an episode of the, In 2022 Campbell was the subject of episode 9, season 7 of Britains Most Evil Killers, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 20:22. "This case was linked to the Kate Bushell killing which happened 12 months before they are pretty unique cases nationally and internationally.". However, the States of Jersey Police said they had a "better understanding" of Miss Hoeoek's life in the island and it had "helped identify viable and fresh lines of inquiry and persons of interest". ", Despite the case being closed, the emotional wounds caused by Ms Woolterton's death remain. After Campbell picked her up as she walked home alone, the 17-year-old was sexually assaulted and had her throat cut. The story of the investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Claire Woolterton, whose body was found dumped by the River Thames in Windsor in 1981. [5], In 2011 the case was reviewed by a team led by Pete Beirne, who had been a junior detective on the original murder inquiry. "Colin Campbell is a dangerous individual who cut short the lives of two young women in their primes and has never accepted any responsibility for his actions. It came at a time another Berkshire "cold case" was yielding similar results. Get up to 65% OFF in your Babbel subscription! "We have been emotionally scarred for life and have a very cynical outlook to life now. Had it not been for his arrest for that offence, Campbell may never have been brought to justice for Claire's murder. Mark John Phillips Jason Redshaw Stephen Wood. Copyright 2015 True Crime Library. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience as outlined in our Cookie Policy. The court heard that Claire, left, was last seen alive walking towards Hanwell after spending the evening in Ealing while 29-year-old Deirdre while hitchhiking in December 1984, Behind bars: Colin Campbell is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Deirdre Sainsbury, He told jurors that expert scientists now believe the DNA discovered was 'one million times more likely to have been obtained from Colin Campbell', while another found it 'one billion times more likely.'. DNA Doe Project: https://dnadoeproject.org/Missing People UK: https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/support-missing-people/donate MYSTERIES WITH MOLLIE PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB9RHAsI6DU\u0026list=PLtS4892aIov1i87ci7vby7Tnn5E5z9_i9 WANT TO REQUEST A CASE FOR ME TO COVER? Claire Woolterton: The story of 17-year-old Claire Woolterton. A "heavy implement" had been used to kill the Finnish au pair. 'Little did he know then the advances in medical science and scientific technology would eventually be his undoing. Stephen Bear revenge porn prison term 'sends clear message', 'Money can't buy you a better cheeseburger', Billionaire Bill Gates talks to Amol Rajan about wealth, conspiracies and controversy, The meteoric rise and dizzying fall of tycoon Arif Naqvi, Inside the factory where supercars are made, Meet the people behind McLaren's latest model, There's something for everyone on BBC iPlayer. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. ", Pete Beirne, the principal investigator when the case was reopened, said: "What we've managed to achieve today obviously won't bring Claire back, but hopefully it's a small comfort to [her family] that Campbell has been in custody since 1984.". She was picked up in Campbell's car while hitchhiking on the South Circular Road in Roehampton. [1] At a retrial in 1999, Campbell pled guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and this plea was accepted by the prosecution. His mother's pitiful public apology. PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. True Crime Library Nobody was arrested or charged with Miss Woolterton's murder during the original investigation. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mystery of teenage girl's brutal murder is solved after 32 years They're [the cases] never far from your mind. He had also been involved in the original investigation as a detective constable. "I'm very happy we ran a very professional, detailed investigation. Last November, police arrested and charged Campbell with Miss Woolterton's murder. "Claire's murder had a shocking and distressing permanent effect on our lives. Thirty years later, small strips of adhesive tapings, about two-inches thick, daubed on the body of Claire by scene of crime officers to remove potential fibres, became key to the reinvestigation. Test yourself with this Cockney Rhyming Slang quiz. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. She had initially been attacked at another, unknown location and her body showed physical signs consistent with having been partially asphyxiated and rendered unconscious. His defence centred around his condition as an epileptic. [4][1] Her body had been mutilated and she was found naked. Her murderer Colin Campbell went on to kill Deirdre Sainsbury in 1984, for which he is serving a life sentence. [5] However, the forensic scientists said that the type and location of the evidence meant that this was not a possibility, since the DNA found could not have come from the minimal contact Campbell described. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? [5][6] This was indicated by the fact that the last known sighting of her was far away walking down the Uxbridge Road in Acton, yet she was found dead in Windsor. A scuffed copy of the Koran. He was also questioned about Claire Woolterton's murder, but denied any involvement. Colin Frederick Campbell, I have to sentence you for the brutal murder of Claire Woolterton 32 years ago in August 1981. Colin Campbell sentenced to life for Claire Woolterton 1981 - BBC Stop Animation Movie; Student Spotlight on Laurie G. - 'GRANDDAD' - AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT SERIES; Student Spotlight on Clarise Creary - 'Grandma's Old Time Caribbean Cooking Blog' The impact of living in a small community, such as an island, can make it even more difficult for officers investigating unsolved murders to switch off. 0000003449 00000 n The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 0000001944 00000 n [4][1], "Colin Campbell is a dangerous individual who cut short the lives of two young women in their primes and has never accepted any responsibility for his actions." Miss Sainsbury had also been picked up in Campbell's car while hitchhiking on the South Circular Road in Roehampton, within miles of the last sighting of Miss Woolterton. She had been sexually assaulted and her throat was cut. Statement released by the family of Deirdre Sainsbury after his conviction for Woolteton's murder, 2013[4]. It's part of my life as well. "Claire was a hard-working girl, who was very kind and would always help people. Alleged killer of soldier Lee Rigby 'showed no signs of Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' He was already in prison for the 1984 killing of Deirdre Sainsbury, but had wrongly had his murder conviction in this case downgraded to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in 1999 after he claimed that he had only killed her due to having an eplieptic fit. Pete Beirne was the principal investigator of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Review Team when the case was reopened in 2011. Campbell was convicted of murder in the case of Deidre in July 1985, but it was later reduced to a manslaughter conviction. Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said the teenager had been initially attacked at another, unknown, location and was found to show physical signs consistent with having been strangled into unconsciousness. [5] She had been sexually assaulted. Two women reported seeing a girl of Claires description being dragged into a car on the night of the murder, at the junction of Uxbridge Road and Yelding Lanes, Hayes. 0000018278 00000 n Dozens of police officers from across the country have contacted the charity Support After Murder and Manslaughter during its 15-year history, said Rose Dixon, the organisation's head. For Ms Woolterton's mother and family, the three-decade wait to learn who had killed her daughter had a big impact. 0000002604 00000 n He said: "This feels as raw as it did 32 years ago. So all investigators had was a body dumped in Windsor with the last confirmed sighting the night before in Hanwell. hb```b``g`e`Wed@ A&/5}``8aMFcXmlME#+>~_8vN@ldhXq;GGK@#VbU*?)V@H#+! During his trial at Reading. Her naked body had been found on the promenade by the River Thames in Windsor, Berkshire, by a man on his way to work, the Daily Mail reported. Colin Campbell jailed for life for the brutal murder of Claire [3] He was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years imprisonment, meaning he will be at least 90 years old before he will be eligible for release. Prosecution counsel Peter Wright QC told the jury the 29-year-old's killing bore strong similarities to that of Claire's. "These were also the days before CCTV and mobile phones. "He hasn't denied being responsible, he just states he cannot remember if he did or didn't do it," said Pete Beirne. Colin Campbell, already serving life for manslaughter of Deidre Sainsbury, is accused of murdering Claire Woolterton in 1981. We never had the chance to say goodbye. Campbell is serving life for the manslaughter of a 29-year-old female hitch-hiker he picked up in west London December, 1984, and whose body was also dumped in Thames Valley and is clearly an extremely dangerous man. v0.#YS!T w|8J4 b8O@. S07E04 | Colin Campbell | The Murders of Claire Woolterton and Deirdre He had also been involved in the original investigation as a detective constable. Claire Woolterton murder: DNA caught Colin Campbell - BBC News Advances in DNA analysis helped convict Campbell, 66, of Miss Woolterton's murder 32 years after her death. Campbell was a convicted killer serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of Deirdre Sainsbury, from Greenham, in December 1984. Season 3. "Claire went out to meet some friends and never came home. She said that despite their job title "we must remember police are humans" and they "need to offload" and talk to someone about their feelings. He said: "This feels as raw as it did 32 years ago. Mr Wright told the court an 'adhesive tape lift' had been used on Claires body to take 'debris from the surface of her skin.'. All the evidence is in the bag, we've just got to get the right trigger to look in the right place and hopefully find the person who committed these horrendous crimes.". That was when the mutilated body of teenager Claire Woolterton was discovered on a promenade in Barry Avenue by the River Thames in Windsor. A convicted killer who allegedly murdered and mutilated a teenage girl was arrested 30 years later after his 'terrible secret' was discovered following a DNA match, a court has heard. Her body was discovered by her father just 300 yards from their home in 1997. It's always on your mind to some extent. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Killer accused of murdering and mutilating a teenage girl 30 years ago Claire Woolterton | True Crime Library These cookies do not store any personal information. Ch Insp Turner said he felt a "huge sense of responsibility but also a huge sense of pride" working on the case. xref "All the advice from our profilers was people who kill like this have an offending history," added Mr Boarland. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? But evidence taken at the time and stored in police archives would eventually build a DNA profile against him. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. He argued he was not in control of his faculties and could not recall the events of August 1981. "She'd speak to anybody who needed help and did whatever she could for them. [5] The likelihood of the DNA not belonging to him was a billion to one. The trial heard that Claire, who lived in Northolt, north west London, with her mother and her mother's partner, was last seen alive at around 10pm on August 27, 1981, walking towards Hanwell after spending the evening in Ealing with the older married man she was seeing. This will haunt us forever. The judge made it clear to Campbell in his sentencing for Woolterton's murder that he would not get away this time with the defence that his epilepsy had caused him to murder. Claire, who had left school at 16, was reported missing by her worried mother the next day. "Knowing that the family still has not had closure on this tragedy for nearly 50 years provides further motivation for seeking answers they've painfully awaited for so many years.". He was also questioned about Claire Woolterton's murder, but denied any involvement. When Campbell was arrested, she said the police were "very kind" and "broke the news very gently and gave my family a lot of support".