Serial abuser who murdered partner with tyre iron jailed

A violent abuser who murdered his partner by bludgeoning her to death with a tyre iron has been jailed for at least 27 years.

Unemployed Mark Campbell killed Jane Fitzpatrick, 48, in the Cable Road area of Glenrothes, Fife, on 9 August 2021.

The 37-year-old was also found guilty of 13 other offences against women, including rape, assault and domestic abuse. His crimes occurred in the Fife area between 2003 and 2021.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, Judge Lady Poole jailed Campbell for life and ordered he serve at least 27 years behind bars before being eligible for parole. He has also been added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Lady Poole said society would “not tolerate domestic abuse against women”.

She said: “You hit, headbutted, strangled, kicked and spat on women.

“You used not only your body to assault women, but also things close to hand that could be used as weapons, such as scissors, an iron, a belt, a hoover and knives.

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“Your victims were hurt by you. Some were severely injured, to the danger of their lives, and some left with permanent markings.

“Your victims found it hard to escape you. One even moved as a teenager with a new baby to a country where, when she arrived, she didn’t speak the language and had no network, to get away from you.”

The court heard how grandmother Ms Fitzpatrick had been controlled, threatened and abused by Campbell during the course of their relationship.

The jury was told Campbell launched his murderous attack hours after inducing Ms Fitzpatrick to discharge herself from hospital following a head injury.

The pair travelled to a secluded yard in Glenrothes where Campbell tried to source drugs.

After carrying out the fatal assault, he then attempted to avoid detection by driving off with Ms Fitzpatrick’s body. She was found dead in his car the next morning with dozens of injuries to her body, head and face.

Lady Poole said: “Your car was covered with her blood, and there was blood on the wall of the nearby garage.

“Your attempts to blame somebody else were rejected by the jury.”

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Campbell, whose criminal record began at 17 years old, was said to have had a troubled upbringing and faced struggles with alcohol and illicit substances.

David Green, Scotland procurator fiscal for homicide, branded Campbell’s behaviour towards women “contemptible”.

He added: “Jane Fitzpatrick’s life was controlled by him and ultimately ended by his violence. Her family and friends are left to try and cope with their terrible loss.

“I commend the brave women who came forward to give evidence against this man. Their courage helped prosecutors bring Campbell to justice.

“Our thoughts are now with those women who spoke out against Campbell, and with the loved ones of Jane Fitzpatrick.”

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