Former Police Officer Campbell Petrie Jailed for Sexual Offences Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Conviction & Sentence: Former Police Scotland officer Campbell Petrie, aged 50, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow following his conviction on nine charges of severe sexual and physical abuse.
• Post-Release Restrictions: Upon completing his 12-year custodial term, Petrie will be subject to an extended three-year community supervision order, taking his total sentence to 15 years. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and served with indefinite non-harassment orders.
• Nature of Offences: Petrie was found guilty of two charges of rape, indecent assault, assault with intent to rape, and assault to injury and danger of life. The offences took place between 2006 and 2023 against two female victims, one of whom was a serving police colleague whom he raped whilst she slept.
• Police Career Timeline: Petrie was an active serving officer throughout his offending period. He was arrested, charged, and suspended from duty in December 2023. He subsequently retired from Police Scotland in December 2025 prior to his conviction in September 2026.
• Judicial Remarks: High Court Judge Alastair Watson criticized Petrie’s “bizarre” and persistent denial of guilt, stating that the gravity of his sustained criminal conduct could not be overstated.
• Police Scotland Statement: Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs condemned Petrie’s actions as “severely abusive, exploitative and violent,” while commending the victims for their courage in reporting the crimes.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) October 16, 2026 — A former Police Scotland sergeant has been sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after being convicted of a series of severe physical and sexual offences against two women, including a police colleague, over a 17-year period. Campbell Petrie, 50, received his sentence on Friday, 16 October 2026, following his conviction by a jury in September 2026. Alongside his 12-year custodial term, Petrie was handed an extended three-year community supervision order, placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, and subjected to lifetime non-harassment orders.

Petrie was found guilty of nine charges covering a course of criminal conduct between 2006 and 2023. His convictions encompass two counts of rape, indecent assault, assault with intent to rape, and assault to injury and danger of life. Petrie was an active serving officer throughout the timeframe in which the abuse took place. He was arrested, charged, and suspended from police duties in December 2023 before formally retiring from Police Scotland in December 2025.

What Evidence and Specific Allegations Were Heard During the High Court Trial?

During court proceedings, details emerged regarding Petrie’s sustained pattern of abusive, predatory, and violent behavior directed at two women. As reported by Paul Kelly of Clyde 1 News, the court heard that Petrie’s victims were subjected to a “catalogue of episodes of abuse including a number of rapes and sexual assaults”. One of his victims was a female police colleague whom Petrie raped while she was sleeping.

As reported by STV News, trial testimony revealed that Petrie engaged in manipulative “lovebombing” before subjecting the woman to verbal abuse, calling her derogatory terms including “fat cow” and “st”. The court also heard evidence of an incident following a party where a intoxicated Petrie acted aggressively toward the woman and placed his hands around her throat, placing her life in danger.

Furthermore, as disclosed by STV News following the verdict, Petrie had previously been arrested in 2009 over allegations of threatening behaviour towards one of the victims. However, that early case was dropped by prosecutors. Petrie was subsequently promoted to the rank of sergeant within Police Scotland, despite the prior arrest, and continued his offending unchecked for over a decade.

How Did the High Court Judge Rationalize the Extended Prison Sentence?

Delivering the sentence at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Alastair Watson emphasized the severity and long-running nature of the crimes. As reported by Paul Kelly of Clyde 1 News, Judge Watson addressed Petrie directly in court, stating:

“They were subjected to a catalogue of episodes of abuse including a number of rapes and sexual assaults. The gravity of this sustained course of criminal conduct cannot be overstated and it is my duty to impose a sentence which reflects the seriousness and its persistence.”

Judge Watson also highlighted Petrie’s complete lack of remorse and refusal to take responsibility for his actions. Referring to the criminal justice social work pre-sentencing report, Judge Watson stated:

“I observe that in your interview with the author of your background report, you maintain your denial of guilt in the face of the evidence and despite the verdict of the jury you claim that you cannot recall acting in the manner set out in the charges and that you were never aware that your victims felt you assaulted them. These statements are bizarre if they have been accurately reported. Your denial of responsibility is somewhat disappointing.”

The judge praised the fortitude shown by both victims throughout the investigation and trial process. As reported by Clyde 1 News, Judge Watson noted:

“I have read the eloquent and moving descriptions provided by both of the women and they describe the trauma at your hands and the nature of the psychological harm that affects them today. Both showed remarkable courage during proceedings, making the necessary disclosures to the court proceedings and facing cross-examination of their honesty at the trial.”

Explaining the requirement for an extended sentence totaling 15 years—comprising 12 years in custody and three years of community monitoring—Judge Watson concluded:

“I consider that an extended sentence is necessary, having regard to the risk you pose which is a significant harm to the public, particularly women you come into contact with in future.”

Court reporters noted that Petrie offered no visible reaction when he was led away from the dock into the court cells by security officers. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Watson imposed indefinite non-harassment orders barring Petrie from contacting either victim or approaching within 100 metres of any location where he believes they may be. STV News also reported that following the sentencing, it is anticipated that Petrie’s police pension will be reviewed and potentially impacted under police pension forfeiture rules.

What Was the Official Response From Police Scotland Leadership?

Following the sentencing hearing, Police Scotland issued an official statement condemning the former sergeant’s actions and reassuring the public regarding internal misconduct investigations. As quoted directly in the Police Scotland official media release, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, who leads on Major Crime and Public Protection, stated:

“Petrie committed a series of severely abusive, exploitative and violent crimes towards women. His offending is in stark contrast to the professionalism and commitment of the officers who investigated him and ultimately helped bring him to justice. His victims have displayed great courage in reporting these matters, and our thoughts are very much with them today. I hope this sentence brings them some closure and comfort. This investigation shows the public that when matters of this nature are reported to us – regardless of who the perpetrator is – that victims are listened to and supported as we take immediate action to identify and investigate those responsible.”

Background of the Particular Development

The conviction and sentencing of Campbell Petrie occur against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding officer conduct, internal vetting procedures, and police culture across the United Kingdom and Police Scotland. Petrie’s ability to remain an active serving officer for 17 years—and achieve a promotion to sergeant after a 2009 arrest for threatening behaviour—has renewed intense debates over internal accountability mechanisms within police forces.

In recent years, Scottish policing has faced demands for systemic reform following a series of high-profile misconduct and criminal cases involving serving officers. The fact that one of Petrie’s victims was a serving colleague highlights persistent issues surrounding internal reporting channels, peer support, and the challenges victims face when accusing colleagues or superiors in uniform. Furthermore, figures released surrounding officer suspensions indicate that dozens of Police Scotland personnel remain suspended under investigation for serious misconduct or criminal allegations, underlining broader institutional challenges in swiftly processing internal criminal investigations.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Particular Audience

This legal development is likely to have significant short-term and long-term implications for several key stakeholder groups:

• For Victims of Abuse and the General Public: The 12-year custodial sentence and public condemnation by senior police leadership may offer a degree of reassurance that high-ranking or serving officers are not immune to prosecution. However, disclosures that Petrie was promoted after a prior 2009 arrest may temporarily damage public trust in Police Scotland’s vetting protocols. This could make some victims of domestic or sexual abuse hesitant to report crimes committed by law enforcement personnel unless further administrative safeguards are implemented.
• For Police Scotland and Institutional Leadership: Police Scotland leadership will face increased pressure from watchdog bodies, parliamentarians, and the public to review historic misconduct files and overhaul internal vetting practices. The force is expected to introduce stricter monitoring for officers facing allegations, refine promotional vetting procedures, and review pension forfeiture mechanisms for convicted officers.
• For Serving Police Officers and Internal Culture: The successful prosecution and sentence send a firm message to serving personnel that criminal conduct within the ranks will be investigated thoroughly by dedicated units. It is likely to encourage stronger internal whistleblowing mechanisms and give confidence to police staff and officers who may be victims of peer abuse to report such incidents without fear of career reprisal.