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Malcolm Campbell has been found guilty of two counts of sexual relations with a juvenile. He was acquitted of a third charge of committing an indecent act with a juvenile. (File photo)
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An Oranga Tamariki carer who has been found guilty of sexual activity with a 13-year-old boy had previously had a sexual relationship with a young man he met while working at a home for vulnerable youth.
On Friday, Malcolm Wayne Campbell, 50, was found guilty in the Christchurch District Court of two counts of sexual association with a 13-year-old. Campbell was acquitted of a third charge of committing an indecent act on a juvenile.
This comes after a trial before Judge Paul Kellar in which Campbell denied the charges against him.
The case of The Crown was that Campbell took part in a “threesome” at his home with… Josh Bradywho was 21 at the time, and a 13-year-old boy who had been in Campbell’s care a few months earlier.
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† Oranga Tamariki carer denies ‘threesome’ with 13-year-old boy
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At trial, Campbell admitted that there was a sexual encounter between Brady and the boy at his home. but denied that he was involved† He claimed he “shot out of the room” when Brady and the boy started engaging in sexual activity and that he was “horrified” by what he saw.
Judge Kellar dismissed Campbell’s version of events, pointing to several aspects of the case that showed Campbell did participate in the sexual activity in his home that night.
The judge said the complainant had been a credible and reliable witness who “appeared to have no axe” about Campbell or Brady. The boy was consistent in his account of what happened and made appropriate concessions during the cross-examination.
Judge Kellar said Brady and the boy’s testimony had been broadly consistent.
CHRIS SKELTON/Things
Campbell leaves the Christchurch District Court after the first day of his trial.
In its decision, the judge pointed to a text message Campbell sent Brady after the night in which Campbell said, “This is/will be our biggest train wreck.” He added: “We’re both going to get seriously fed up anyway.”
Judge Kellar said it was unlikely Campbell would have referred to “our biggest train wreck” if it weren’t for his participation in the night.
The judge also found Campbell’s explanation as to why he did not report the sexual relationship between Brady and the boy to the police. Campbell claimed he didn’t go to the police because he had previously reported issues to them that they didn’t respond to, and he felt rejected.
Dee McManus-Emery, Oranga Tamariki’s deputy chief executive services for children and families, described Campbell’s violation as “a horrific abuse of the trust placed in him as a caregiver.”
“We can confirm that once Oranga Tamariki became aware of the allegations, we have taken appropriate action and that he is no longer a caretaker.”
Relationship with Josh Brady
Campbell said at trial that his sexual partners were mostly over 18, but Brady had “slipped through”. Campbell and Brady began a sexual relationship when Brady was 17.
Campbell has cared for children for over 30 years. He first met Brady at Dormer House, a home for vulnerable youth, when Brady was 15 years old and Campbell was a staff member.
Brady was evicted from Dormer House after about six months and went to live with Campbell for about three months before being placed in the care of another foster carer.
In early 2017, when Brady was 17 years old, he moved back in with Campbell and the couple began a sexual relationship. At trial, Brady described himself as submissive in the relationship, while Campbell was the dominant party.
The sexual relationship, described by Campbell as “casual,” lasted more than three years.
Judge Kellar noted that there was nothing to indicate that the relationship between Brady and Campbell was anything but consensual.
When asked if Oranga Tamariki was aware of the sexual relationship between Brady and Campbell when the 13-year-old boy was placed under Campbell’s care, McManus-Emery said it could not provide specific details about the case due to privacy.
In general, McManus-Emery said Oranga Tamariki would find it inappropriate for a caregiver to engage in a sexual relationship with a person previously under their care, even if that person was of age.
Campbell has been released on bail until his sentencing on October 5.