Mark Campbell received an 18‑month prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to incite sexual activity involving a child.
The court heard that Campbell was engaged in a conversation with a police officer who was investigating sexual predators at the time of the offence.
A guardian of one of the affected children described the ordeal as overwhelming, citing constant stress, anxiety, and a profound loss of confidence in local safeguarding systems.
Documents submitted to the court revealed that Campbell had unsupervised access to children months before his arrest, including a record showing he transported two children in his car in early May.
Families learned of the contact only after filing subject‑access requests and discovering through a news report that Campbell had sole, unsupervised physical custody of their children.
The guardian criticized the council for failing to proactively warn families or provide professional support, alleging that the incident was concealed to protect the council’s reputation.
North Tyneside Children’s Services said it became aware of Campbell’s offending on August 11 and took immediate action once notified.
The director of Children’s Services expressed regret that families learned of the matter online, apologized for the distress caused, and pledged to improve transparency while acknowledging ongoing legal constraints.
