Overview
- The court heard that Colin Campbell carried out five unprovoked attacks on strangers across Rhyl and Chester in 2025, with some assaults taking place while he was out on police bail.
- Victims suffered severe injuries including skull fractures, extensive brain bleeds and a partially collapsed lung; one man needed emergency brain surgery and now requires ongoing permanent care with little if any memory of his loved ones.
- Campbell admitted offences including section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and section 20 wounding and was convicted after trial on one wounding charge, before being sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in prison on Tuesday.
- Recorder Neil Owen-Casey described Campbell as a 'vicious animal' and said he had been assessed as a dangerous offender, but the judge declined to impose an extended custodial term; the defence told the court Campbell had a chaotic upbringing, mental health problems and ADHD.
- Victims and their families described lasting physical and psychological damage, and the case has highlighted concerns about how police manage risk when suspects are repeatedly arrested and released on bail between incidents.