Rapist who strangled victim with dressing gown cord is on-the-run from jail

19 February 2024 , 18:33

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Wayne Campbell, 42, absconded while on temporary release from a Cat D prison known as The Colony in Suffolk (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

A violent rapist who attacked a woman and strangled her unconscious is currently at large after breaking out of prison.

Wayne Campbell, 42, was on temporary release from HMP Hollesley Bay, a Category D prison known as The Colony in Woodbridge, Suffolk but failed to return at 7.30pm on Saturday.

Campbell, a double rapist, has been described as "Black, 6ft2in tall, of a heavy build with black hair" and he has a Playboy tattoo on his left arm, and a cross on his right. A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary confirmed Campbell was serving 12 years after committing rape and ABH in 2014. They added that he has links to the Edmonton area of North London.

After failing to show on Saturday, the force asked for anyone with information about his whereabouts, or who may have seen him, to contact police on 101. "You should not approach him or take any further action," a spokesperson added.

He carried out the assault after a woman took pity on him and invited him into her home (Kent Police)

Campbell, a homeless drug addict, was thrown out of his lover's home in Ashford, Kent, after a series of assaults, then was taken in by a pitying woman who he raped twice and strangled unconscious, KentOnline reported in 2015. Already on license for stealing, he went on to burgle a nearby house and took the goods back to his cell at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, reports MyLondon.

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Campbell admitted four assaults on his ex-lover, including punching her and knocking her against a wall, and handling stolen goods, but he denied raping the second woman. He was convicted by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court who heard Campbell threw his victim on the sofa, and strangled her with a dressing gown cord until she fell unconscious.

"You then put a dressing gown chord across her neck and pushed so hard she could not breathe," Judge Heather Norton said. “She told the jury she thought she was going to die and passed out." Campbell showed no remorse for the terrifying attack, the judge added.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for help in tracing a Hollesley Bay prisoner who has absconded. 42-year-old Wayne Campbell was reported as missing to police at around 7.30pm on Saturday 17 February. Wayne had been on temporary release licence however he failed to return.

"He is described as black, 6ft2inches tall, of a heavy build with black hair. Wayne has a Playboy tattoo on upper left arm and a cross on his right arm. He also has connections to the London area. Police are asking anyone who may have seen him or anyone with information about where he is to contact police on 101. You should not approach him or take any further action."

Callum Cuddeford