Pauline Campbell: The final tragedy

May 16 2008 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

PRISON campaigner Pauline Campbell was found dead yesterday near the grave of her daughter who died in jail.

The body of the 60 year old was discovered at 6.51am in Oakhills Cemetery, Malpas.

Mrs Campbell’s only child Sarah died, aged 18, of an overdose less than 24 hours after arriving at Styal Prison in January, 2003.

She was convicted of the manslaughter of Chester businessman Amrit Bhandari. He suffered a heart attack and died after Sarah and another woman accosted him.

Theresa Bhandari, his widow, said: “I feel sad about what Pauline did and the way she was found. I don’t think she had ever forgiven herself for the way her daughter went.”

Mrs Campbell, a retired lecturer, of Market Place, Hampton Heath, was arrested 15 times protesting against unjust sentencing and inhumane conditions for women in prison.

She said earlier this month her last case had been “a drain on my mental health”.

The cemetery on Chester Road was cordoned off by police.