In 2026, the Offender Database reported that the trial of Thom Campion, then 28, of Newcastle Great Park, had been delayed. Originally scheduled for late January, the trial at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court has been postponed until 9 June 2026. Campion, an independent member of Newcastle City Council, continues to deny the single allegation of sexual assault.
The investigation established that the alleged offence took place earlier in 2025. Campion entered a not guilty plea in September 2025. The prosecution reported that the councillor, who was elected in 2021 as a Liberal Democrat before becoming an independent, appeared in the dock on Friday, 30 January, to confirm his details. He has been released on conditional bail pending the new trial date in June.
Judicial Proceedings and Background
The court reported that the trial delay was necessary for administrative reasons. Campion, who has previously campaigned for Parliament under the name Thom Chapman in the Blyth Valley and Cramlington and Killingworth constituencies, remains an active councillor while the legal proceedings are ongoing. The judge emphasised that the defendant must adhere to his bail conditions, which include restrictions on his movements and contact with witnesses.
The prosecution emphasised that the evidence in the case will be presented in full when the trial commences in the summer. At this stage, no specific details regarding the nature of the alleged assault or the identity of the complainant have been made public. For the current proceedings in Newcastle, the court determined that Campion does not pose a flight risk but must remain under judicial oversight until the matter is resolved.
Current Status and Legal Requirements
For the ongoing case in Newcastle, the current status is as follows:
- Trial Date: Rescheduled for 9 June 2026.
- Plea: Not Guilty (entered September 2025).
- Bail Status: Released on conditional bail.
- Charges: One count of sexual assault.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Campion is currently under the court’s supervision and Northumbria Police’s supervision while on bail. As the case has not yet reached a verdict, he is not on the Sex Offenders Register. However, his status as a public official means the case is under “significant” scrutiny by the Newcastle City Council and local monitoring groups.
Authorities state that the conditional bail is a “critical” tool to ensure the integrity of the upcoming trial. Any breach of these conditions will result in his immediate arrest and return to Newcastle Magistrates’ Court. The local council has reported that it is following the legal process closely to determine Campion’s future standing as a representative of Newcastle Great Park.
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