Former Scottish police officer sentenced to 12 years for raping two women

The key facts

Campbell Petrie sentenced to 12 years for eight offences against two women, including four rapes
He is one of four serving or former Police Scotland officers convicted of rape within five months
After release, Petrie will remain under supervision for a further three years

Sentence at the High Court in Glasgow

Former police sergeant Campbell Petrie has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. In September this year, the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty on eight charges of sexual and physical violence against two women, including four episodes of rape. The offences were committed in Glasgow over 17 years, from 2006 to 2023. Petrie denied the charges. After serving his sentence, he will remain under supervision and monitoring in the community for a further three years and has been placed on the sex offenders register.

The judge's words

Judge Alastair Watson said he imposed a sentence reflecting the seriousness and systematic nature of Petrie's offences. He said he had read the 'eloquent and moving' descriptions of trauma and psychological harm provided by both women and called their conduct during the trial 'remarkable bravery'. The judge noted that Petrie poses a risk of 'significant harm to the public, particularly to women with whom he will come into contact in the future', and expressed hope that the conclusion of the case will help the victims move towards recovery.

Timeline of the case

Petrie was first arrested in 2009 after one of the victims accused him of threatening behaviour. He spent five hours in a police station, but the case did not progress further due to a lack of evidence. In 2023, a second woman accused him of rape, which led to an investigation by specialist sexual offences officers. In December 2023, Petrie was arrested, charged and suspended from duty, and a year later he retired from the police.

A series of cases against police officers

Petrie is one of four serving or former Police Scotland officers exposed as rapists within five months. In May, officer Alan Greer took his own life days after a search of his home as part of an investigation into offences dating from 2012; the investigation established that he had been a serial rapist with at least 15 victims. In July, former constable Cameron Ross was sentenced to 10 years for raping two women and assaulting a third. On Thursday, serving officer John Williamson was found guilty of raping a teenage girl and a woman in the Shetland Islands; he will be sentenced in December.

Police response and questions about vetting

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs described Petrie's crimes as 'a series of extremely cruel, exploitative and violent offences against women', contrasting them with the professionalism of the officers who investigated the case. He thanked the victims for their courage and expressed hope that the sentence would bring them 'closure and comfort'. Petrie's sentence has raised new questions about police vetting in Scotland. In 2023, all UK police forces carried out a 'historical data check' following the crimes of Metropolitan Police officers Wayne Couzens, who kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard, and serial rapist David Carrick. Police Scotland said the 2023 check did not reveal any unknown information about Petrie. Earlier this month, Chief Constable Jo Farrell told BBC Scotland News that 45 serving officers have been suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls. Under new rules that came into force this year, around 8,000 officers and staff will undergo re-vetting; priority is given to long-serving personnel and those working with vulnerable people.