Former Police Scotland sergeant Campbell Petrie jailed for 12 years for raping two women

Centre · 2Campbell Petrie, a former Police Scotland sergeant, was jailed for 12 years at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday 16 October 2026 for raping two women. 1 2 Centre · 2The judge, Alistair Watson, imposed an extended sentence of 15 years, of which the custodial part is 12 years. The BBC reports that Petrie will be supervised and monitored in the community for a further three years after release. 2 1 Centre · 2Petrie was found guilty in September of eight charges involving sexual and physical abuse of two women in Glasgow, including four counts of rape. The BBC says the offending spanned 17 years from 2006 to 2023, while the Evening Standard gives the period as 2006 to 2022. Petrie denied the allegations. 1 2

Centre · 1Judge Watson said the offences caused the women "deep and enduring psychological harm", that the "gravity of this kind of sustained criminal conduct cannot be overstated", and that it was "disappointing" that Petrie continues to deny responsibility. 2 Right · 1GB News also quoted the judge as saying the sentence reflected "the seriousness and persistence" of the offending, and praised both women's "remarkable courage"; it adds that Petrie is placed on the sex offenders register. 3 Centre · 1Defence counsel Edith Forrest KC said Petrie's only previous conviction was for a minor speeding offence, that he had held positions of considerable responsibility and received commendations, and that there was scope for him to make positive changes. She urged the judge to consider his personal circumstances and previous good character. 2

Centre · 1Petrie was first arrested in 2009 after one of his victims accused him of threatening behaviour; he was held for five hours but no action was taken for lack of evidence. In 2023 a second woman accused him of rape, prompting an investigation by specialist sexual crime officers, and he was arrested, charged and suspended in December 2023. 1 Centre · 2Petrie later retired from the force; the BBC says this was a year after his suspension, while the Evening Standard gives December 2025. 1 2 Centre · 1Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said Petrie committed "a series of severely abusive, exploitative and violent crimes towards women", praised the victims' courage and said he hoped the sentence would bring them "closure and comfort". Detective Superintendent Adam Brown said Police Scotland would pursue such officers whether serving or retired, and on or off duty. 2

Centre · 1The BBC places the case among four serving or former Police Scotland officers exposed as rapists in five months: Alan Greer, who took his own life in May days after a police raid and was later found to have at least 15 victims; Cameron Ross, jailed for 10 years in July; and serving officer John Williamson, found guilty on Thursday and due to be sentenced in December. 1 Right · 1GB News describes the four officers' cases as "unrelated, yet equally heinous" and says together they "exposed a deeply troubling pattern within the force", and it reports the same vetting concerns as the BBC. 3 Centre · 1The BBC says the conviction raised fresh questions over police background checks in Scotland. Police Scotland said a 2023 UK-wide "historic data wash" found no unknown information on Petrie. Chief Constable Jo Farrell said 45 serving officers are suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls, and about 8,000 officers and staff will undergo renewed vetting under new regulations. 1